On May 18, 2025, Gina Ortiz Jones was sworn in as the 184th mayor of San Antonio, becoming the first openly gay mayor in the city’s history. Her election also marks another milestone: she is only the third woman ever to hold the office in San Antonio. As a Filipina-American veteran with a career spanning national security and public service, her win resonates with a city increasingly shaped by diversity and demographic change.
Her swearing-in comes at a critical juncture for San Antonio. The city faces mounting fiscal challenges, including a projected $200 million budget deficit, and is still reeling from deadly flash flooding earlier in the month that claimed 13 lives. In her inaugural address, Jones struck a tone of resilience, calling on the community to unite in addressing the city’s most urgent needs and to build a stronger, more equitable future together.
From the Air Force to City Hall
Before entering city politics, Gina Ortiz Jones built a distinguished career in national service. She grew up in a working-class family in San Antonio, attended Boston University on a ROTC scholarship, and served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force during the Iraq War. After her military service, she held various roles in national security and federal government oversight, eventually becoming the Under Secretary of the Air Force — the second-highest civilian position in that branch.
Jones first gained broader public attention during her campaigns for Congress and later through her work in the Biden administration. Her combination of military discipline, public policy experience, and deep local roots set the stage for a mayoral run focused on pragmatic leadership and inclusive governance.
Challenges on Day One
San Antonio’s next mayor faces a difficult fiscal landscape. A $200 million budget gap threatens to slow essential city services and infrastructure investments. In her speech, Jones acknowledged the seriousness of the shortfall, pledging a transparent, collaborative budgeting process that prioritizes community input and protects critical services.
Equally pressing is the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather. Just weeks before her inauguration, flash floods devastated parts of San Antonio, overwhelming the city’s drainage infrastructure and emergency response systems. Thirteen residents lost their lives, and hundreds were displaced. Jones has promised a full review of the city’s flood mitigation strategy, including modernizing stormwater systems and updating emergency protocols to reflect the growing risks of climate change.
An Agenda Centered on Equity and Resilience
A consistent theme in Jones’s campaign — and now her administration — is equity. She has emphasized the need to expand access to quality education, affordable housing, and economic opportunity, particularly for historically underserved communities. Early indications suggest that workforce development and public education will be central pillars of her mayoralty.
Jones has also been vocal about closing the digital divide, investing in youth programs, and creating a city where “zip code is not destiny.” Her administration plans to launch new partnerships between the city, school districts, and local employers to prepare young San Antonians for the jobs of the future.
Building an Inclusive Administration
In one of her first official acts as mayor, Jones appointed her longtime campaign manager as chief of staff and began assembling a diverse team reflective of San Antonio’s population. She has signaled a strong commitment to collaborative governance, both within her administration and in her dealings with the City Council.
Jones has also indicated plans to increase civic engagement by holding regular town halls, establishing advisory councils, and strengthening neighborhood representation in city decisions. Her vision of leadership includes listening directly to residents and integrating their ideas into long-term planning.
Looking to the Future
As she takes the helm, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones inherits a city full of promise but facing complex challenges. Her leadership style — informed by military service, national policy experience, and deep ties to San Antonio — offers a unique blend of discipline and empathy.
The coming months will be a test of her administration’s ability to stabilize the city’s finances, improve infrastructure resilience, and make good on promises of equity. But with a historic win behind her and a forward-looking agenda ahead, Jones’s tenure begins with the eyes of the state — and nation — watching closely.
San Antonio has entered a new chapter, one defined by inclusion, ambition, and a renewed commitment to community progress.
