Latest news with #OrtizJones
Axios
2 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Gina Ortiz Jones says there's no time to waste as San Antonio mayor
San Antonio mayor-elect Gina Ortiz Jones tells Axios she's not waiting to be sworn in to start tackling issues like a potential new Spurs arena, an expected budget deficit and the impact of Trump administration policies. Why it matters: The nonpartisan mayor's race became distinctly about politics as it drew money and influence from across Texas and the country. Now that it's over, Ortiz Jones must tackle the reality of everyday issues facing a city on the cusp of pivotal changes. Catch up quick: Ortiz Jones, who had national Democratic backing, beat out Republican Rolando Pablos 54% to 46%, cementing San Antonio as a reliably blue city. The big picture: Ortiz Jones will lead San Antonio at a critical time, as officials seek to gain public support for a new downtown Spurs arena that could be surrounded by a sports and entertainment district. Voters could be asked to weigh in on the project as soon as November. She will also lead the city through the remaining years of the Trump administration, under which San Antonio has lost millions of dollars in federal funding. The city is also expecting a budget deficit. What they're saying: "There's no time to waste, and I'm not going to wait until I am actually in the seat, because I think there's a lot of work and conversations we can have now that will be helpful to ensure (it's) as smooth a transition as possible," Ortiz Jones told Axios on Saturday. When asked about how she can get things done on a City Council poised to have a starker political divide, she said "I think there's going to be a lot that we can agree on ... I'm quite confident that we'll get to six (votes)." State of play: Ortiz Jones, who is the first openly gay woman elected San Antonio mayor, served as the Air Force undersecretary in the Biden administration and was twice the Democratic nominee for the 23rd Congressional District. She grew up on San Antonio's Far West Side. Between the lines: Pablos and his supporters appeared to both outraise and outspend Ortiz Jones in the runoff election, campaign finance reports show. Pablos got a big boost from the Texas Economic Fund, a political action committee run by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's former political director. Ortiz Jones had help from Fields of Change, a national Democratic PAC, and Emily's List. The bottom line: Ortiz Jones, who takes office June 18, says it was her personal background that helped her break through a crowded mayoral field.
Axios
2 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
San Antonio mayor live election results: Gina Ortiz Jones wins race
San Antonio on Saturday elected Gina Ortiz Jones as its next mayor, choosing a Democrat instead of Republican Rolando Pablos for a nonpartisan race that became distinctly about politics. Why it matters: The mayoral election, the city's first in 16 years without an incumbent on the ballot, drew money and influence from across the state and nation. Neither Ortiz Jones nor Pablos have held elected office before, and San Antonio has not elected a mayor who hasn't served on the City Council since Phil Hardberger in 2005. The latest: Unofficial vote results showed Ortiz Jones with 54% of the vote compared to 46% for Pablos. All precincts were counted. What they're saying: Ortiz Jones told supporters at a watch party at The Dakota East Side Ice House that voters "reminded folks what San Antonio stands for," adding "that our city is about compassion and it's about leading with everybody in mind." "But you know what, our country — I think we're going through a blip right now, but San Antonio has had the opportunity to say, you know what? We're going to move past this," she added. Pablos conceded at his watch party, per KSAT. "We tried. I want to thank everybody for your support. It was a tough race, and I'm just happy that everybody came together for this community," he said. State of play: Ortiz Jones, who is believed to be the first openly gay woman elected San Antonio mayor, served as an Air Force undersecretary in the Biden administration and was twice the Democratic nominee for the 23rd Congressional District. During the runoff campaign, both candidates leaned into their families' immigrant backgrounds. Ortiz Jones spoke of being raised by a single mother who immigrated from the Philippines and Pablos of his family moving from Mexico to El Paso when he was 8 years old. Pablos is a former Texas secretary of state who has served as a senior adviser to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Follow the money: Pablos and his supporters appeared to both outraise and outspend Ortiz Jones in the runoff election, campaign finance reports show. Pablos raised nearly $333,000 and spent more than $275,000 from late April through May 28. He got a big boost from the Texas Economic Fund, a political action committee run by Abbott's former political director, which raised $1.35 million and spent over $623,000 during that time. Ortiz Jones raised nearly $249,000 and spent over $133,000 in the same period. She had help from Fields of Change, a national Democratic PAC, which spent more than $160,000 for her campaign. The big picture: The new mayor will lead San Antonio at a pivotal time, as officials seek to gain public support for a new downtown Spurs arena that could be surrounded by a sports and entertainment district. They will also lead the city through the remaining years of the Trump administration, under which San Antonio has lost millions of dollars in federal funding. The city is also expecting a budget deficit. Catch up quick: Mayor Ron Nirenberg reached his term limits after eight years in office, making him the city's longest-serving mayor since Henry Cisneros in the 1980s. San Antonio's next mayor will serve for four years after voters approved increasing term length from two years. They will work alongside several new city councilmembers members. Flashback: Nirenberg's departure left a rare opening that drew a crowded 27-candidate field to replace him. Four sitting city councilmembers struggled to break through the noise as traditional backers in local elections, like the police union, sat out the first round of voting. By the numbers: Voters showed low enthusiasm for the May 3 election, which overlapped with Fiesta, at 9.26%. In the runoff, turnout rose to nearly 17%.
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
San Antonio mayor live election results: Gina Ortiz Jones leads
Gina Ortiz Jones is leading the race to be San Antonio's new mayor, edging out Rolando Pablos in early election results posted Saturday. Why it matters: The mayoral election, the city's first in 16 years without an incumbent on the ballot, has evolved into an unusually partisan race for a nonpartisan seat, drawing money and influence from across the state and nation. Neither Ortiz Jones nor Pablos have held elected office before, and San Antonio has not elected a mayor who hasn't served on the City Council since Phil Hardberger in 2005. The latest: Early vote results as of 7pm Saturday showed Ortiz Jones with 52% of the vote, with 48% for Pablos. State of play: Ortiz Jones served as an Air Force undersecretary in the Biden administration and was twice the Democratic nominee for the 23rd Congressional District. Pablos is a former Texas secretary of state who has served as a senior adviser to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. During the runoff campaign, both leaned on their families' immigrant backgrounds. Ortiz Jones spoke of being raised by a single mother who immigrated from the Philippines and Pablos of his family moving from Mexico to El Paso when he was 8 years old. Follow the money: Pablos and his supporters appeared to both outraise and outspend Ortiz Jones in the runoff election, campaign finance reports show. Pablos raised nearly $333,000 and spent more than $275,000 from late April through May 28. He got a big boost from the Texas Economic Fund, a political action committee run by Abbott's former political director, which raised $1.35 million and spent over $623,000 during that time. Ortiz Jones raised nearly $249,000 and spent over $133,000 in the same period. She had help from Fields of Change, a national Democratic PAC, which spent more than $160,000 for her campaign. The big picture: The new mayor will lead San Antonio at a pivotal time, as officials seek to gain public support for a new downtown Spurs arena that could be surrounded by a sports and entertainment district. They will also lead the city through the remaining years of the Trump administration, under which San Antonio has lost millions of dollars in federal funding. The city is also expecting a budget deficit. Catch up quick: Mayor Ron Nirenberg reached his term limits after eight years in office, making him the city's longest-serving mayor since Henry Cisneros in the 1980s. San Antonio's next mayor will serve for four years after voters approved increasing term length from two years. They will work alongside several new City Council members. Flashback: Nirenberg's departure left a rare opening that drew a crowded 27-candidate field to replace him. Four sitting City Council members struggled to break through the noise as traditional backers in local elections, like the police union, sat out the first round of voting.
Axios
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Candidates' stances in San Antonio mayoral election
As San Antonio's June 7 mayoral runoff election approaches, candidates Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos have been facing off in debates, and we're parsing out where they stand on top issues. Why it matters: For the first time in decades, someone without City Hall experience will lead San Antonio — and for a longer four-year term. After breaking through a crowded 27-candidate field in the initial election, both have used the last few weeks to introduce themselves to voters who might have sat out the first round. The big picture: The new mayor's tenure will come at a critical juncture. The city is facing a budget deficit at the same time as local institutions have faced cutbacks under the Trump administration. Catch up quick: Ortiz Jones, a former Air Force undersecretary under the Biden administration, won about 27% of the vote in the May 3 election. Pablos, a former Texas secretary of state appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, won nearly 17%. How it works: Early voting is underway now through June 3. Find polling times and locations online. Here are some key stances the candidates have taken at recent debates. CPS Energy Pablos said the city-owned CPS Energy has infrastructure challenges and needs more transmission. He highlighted his time on the Texas Public Utility Commission, adding he supported renewable energy growth in West Texas. Ortiz Jones said CPS needs more energy to help bring businesses to San Antonio and keep costs competitive, while also keeping utility prices low for residents. Both said renewable energy and sustainability measures are critical for CPS Energy. City budget Ortiz Jones said she would look to cut "pet projects," such as the city's helping to incentivize the launch of Condor's nonstop Frankfurt flight (later dropped), and paying for city councilmembers to attend the men's Final Four. Pablos said that spending on the city's bike lane plans doesn't seem appropriate. Yes, but: Both candidates have regularly said they want more information before committing to cuts to address a budget deficit. Education and workforce development Pablos said employers turn down coming to San Antonio because they don't see an available pipeline of qualified workers, and that the fix is education. "The No. 1 focus of eradicating poverty is aggressive economic development, and that is based on workforce development." Ortiz Jones focused on the Texas Legislature's actions, saying the recently passed school vouchers hurt public education and the state's pipeline of talent. "We should not be subsidizing private school." Downtown Spurs arena Ortiz Jones floated whether a deal for a new arena and entertainment district could help fund Pre-K 4 SA. Pablos said the city needs to consider the Spurs' economic impact and whether or not San Antonio wants to keep the NBA team. Neither has committed, one way or the other, on using taxpayer money for a new arena, and neither has guaranteed to move forward with a November vote on using public funds. Go deeper Catch the full
