About 26% of those who already cast ballots voted for Gina Ortiz Jones, while another 18% said they went for Rolando Pablos. Credit: Courtest Photos / Rolando Pablos and Gina Ortiz Jones

San Antonio mayoral candidates Gina Ortiz Jones and Rolando Pablos will face off in two televised debates ahead of the June 7 runoff.

The first of those will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at San Antonio College’s Loftin Student Center Fiesta Room. It’s free to attend.

The second debate, hosted by the San Antonio Report in collaboration with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, will take place at 6 p.m. May 19 at the Pearl’s  Stable Hall. Those interested can register to attend that debate via the Chamber of Commerce website.

Former Under Secretary of the Air Force Jones is a progressive Democrat running on a platform that includes greater government transparency along with expanded access to the internet and childcare. She’s also vowed to update the city’s policy on use of non-disclosure agreements within her first 100 days in office.

Jones would also be the first openly LGBTQIA+ mayor of San Antonio, if elected.

Meanwhile, former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos is a Greg Abbott-aligned Republican, running on a platform to address the city’s persistent generational poverty problem and homelessness. If elected, Pablos also wants to cut “wasteful spending” at City Hall.

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This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.

Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...