Race for the Mayor: A Voting Guide
City Council & Mayoral Election
Saturday, May 3rd, 7 AM–7 PM
Key Dates
Last Day to Register to Vote: Thursday, April 3rd
Last Day to Apply for a Mail-in Ballot: Tuesday, April 22nd
Early Voting Period: Tuesday, April 22 to Tuesday, April 29
Run-off Election (If Necessary):
Run-off Election Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 7 AM– 7 PM
Last Day to Register to Vote: Thursday, May 8th
Last Day to Apply for a Mail-in Ballot: Tuesday, May 27th
Early Voting Period: Tuesday, May 27 to Tuesday, June 3
Mayoral Candidates
Beto Altamirano
Education: MPA , Harvard Kennedy School
Career: Co-founder and CEO of Irys Technologies
Bio: Altamirano is positioned as a 'new generation' candidate who combines technological innovation with community-minded policies. Endorsed by former mayor Nelson Wolff, he emphasizes modernizing city services and strengthening public safety while highlighting his personal story of immigrant perseverance.
Santos Alvarado
Career: 23-year retired Army veteran
Bio: Alvarado’s campaign highlights his military background, focusing on issues such as growth management, homelessness, animal care, and public safety.
John Courage
Education: BA, UTSA
Career: Former District 9 City Councilmember; Air Force veteran
Bio: As longtime City Councilmember for District 9, Courage campaigns on his extensive experience in City Hall and promises to bring seasoned leadership to a challenging and diverse city.
Armando Dominguez
Bio: A 42-year resident of San Antonio hailing from the Southside, Dominguez previously ran for mayor and promises to address city growth and infrastructural challenges.
Arturo Espinosa, PE
Education: BS, Chemical Engineering, San Jose State
Career: Chemical engineer
Bio: Espinosa, who previously ran for District 5 City Council, emphasizes his technical expertise and promises to leverage his engineering background to solve complex urban issues, particularly in infrastructure.
Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia
Education: PhD, Advertising , UT-Austin
Career: Current District 4 City Councilmember; Distinguished Faculty, Our Lady of the Lake
Bio: From Southwest High School to a PhD, Dr. Garcia prioritizes public safety, infrastructure improvement, and job creation, and is known for her research-driven approach.
Brandon Gonzales
Career: Granite polisher
Bio: Gonzales is a high school graduate whose primary issues of concern are homelessness, illegal immigration, and construction project management.
April Guadarrama
Education: Bachelor's, Southwest Texas State
Career: Former insurance agent; RV park owner
Bio: Guadarrama brings a diverse career background and a focus on veterans’ issues, affordable housing, and community-based solutions to urban challenges.
Melissa Cabello Havrda
Education: JD, St. Mary's
Career: Current District 6 City Councilmember;
Bio: Endorsed by District 2 City Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, Havrda emphasizes responsible fiscal management, public safety, and progressive policies in areas such as reproductive health and community welfare.
Chris Herring
Education: MA
Career: Former President, Alamo City Black Chamber of Commerce; Executive Director, Global Chamber San Antonio; 20+ year Air Force veteran
Bio: Herring emphasizes public safety and criminal justice reform, education and workforce development, and support for local small businesses.
Gina Ortiz Jones
Education: MA, Economics, Boston University
Career: Former Air Force Undersecretary during Biden administration; two-time congressional candidate
Bio: Ortiz Jones' campaign promises smart investments and transparency about how tax dollars are spent.
Jade McCullough
Career: Owner of Jaszy’s Angel Childcare
Bio: McCullough emphasizes support for families, advocating for enhanced childcare, renter’s rights, access to health care services, and a more inclusive approach to community needs.
James “Jae” Melvin
Career: Construction liason
Bio: Melvin’s campaign promises to prioritize basic services and address longstanding issues such as crime and infrastructure decay.
Rolando Pablos
Education: JD, St. Mary's
Career: Former Texas Secretary of State; CEO of CrossNational Advisory Partners
Bio: Pablos is a fiscal conservative whose priorities are his "Veterans Action Plan," immigration, and increased spending on police.
Manny Pelaez
Education: JD, St. Mary's
Career: Current District 8 City Councilmember
Bio: Pelaez's priorities include Project Marvel and aggressive sweeps of homeless encampments. He served as general counsel of the Bexar County Battered Women and Children Shelter operated by Family Violence Prevention Services, which is led by his mother.
Clayton Perry
Education: MS, Aerospace Techcnology, Embrey-Riddle
Career: Former District 10 City Councilmember
Bio: Perry was relieved of his duties after City Council gave him a vote of "no confidence" when he was charged with DWI and hit-and-run in 2022. He is returning to politics for his mayoral campaign.
Christopher Reyes
Education: BS, Geographic Information Science, Texas State
Career: Army veteran; Survey technician for an engineering firm
Bio: Reyes focuses on crime prevention and accountability and transparency in local governance.
Bill Ruppel
Education: BS, Geographic Information Science, Texas State
Career: USAA appraiser for over 27 years
Bio: Ruppel’s campaign focuses on community-based solutions.
Robert Salinas
Career: Auto repair shop owner
Bio: Salinas is running on a platform that promises practical, everyday solutions for local challenges, rooted in his experience as a small business owner.
Michael “Sam” Samaniego
Career: Retired Air Force master sergeant
Bio: Samaniego’s campaign is rooted in his military service, emphasizing discipline and efficient government operations.
Mauricio “Mau” Sanchez
Education: BA, Economics and Finance, UIW
Career: Former Wall Street bond trader; now CIO of an investment management firm
Bio: Sanchez positions himself as an economic expert capable of boosting local investment and job creation, with an emphasis on data-driven policymaking and financial prudence.
Sonia Traut
Career: Retired Air Force veteran
Bio: Traut emphasizes community unity and a fresh perspective for San Antonio’s future.
Diana Flores Uriegas
Bio: Flores positions herself as a candidate with firsthand experience in local government operations, aiming to bring fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Andrew Fernandez Vicencio
Career: Former City Hall employee; Army veteran
Bio: Vicencio runs a 'no drama' campaign focused on supporting small businesses and lowering crime by hiring more police officers. He has pledged that he would donate 10% of his salary as an elected official to organizations like Texas Paralyzed Veterans and the Childrens' Cancer Society.
Tim Westley
Career: Education services specialist at the Department of Defense; previously ran for Texas Land Commissioner; Army veteran
Bio: Westley promotes a conservative approach to issues like homelessness and law enforcement.
G. Zambrano
Education: BA, Engineering, Texas A&M
Career: Engineer
Bio: Zambrano’s campaign brings technical expertise to address infrastructural challenges. ■
Reasonable efforts were made to verify the information presented based on publicly availalable sources. Scene In SA does not endorse anyone who appears on this list.
