LGBTQIA+ group blasts Ron Nirenberg for not endorsing Gina Ortiz Jones in San Antonio mayoral race

The Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio this week issued an open letter criticizing Mayor Ron Nirenberg and outgoing City Council members for not endorsing Gina Ortiz Jones in the city’s mayoral race.

The letter posted on the LGBTQIA+ political group’s Facebook page said the silence from Nirenberg along with outgoing council members Manny Pelaez, Adriana Rocha Garcia, Melissa Cabello Havrda, John Courage and failed mayoral candidate Beto Altamirano “has been hard to ignore.”

Jones, who’s openly lesbian, is running as a progressive Democrat, and she’s running against Rolando Pablos, a Republican backed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

Nirenberg and the others called out in the Stonewall Democrats’ letter are largely viewed as politically progressive.

“Support for our community cannot be conditional,” the letter said. “It cannot end when the election is over or the stakes become uncomfortable. Right now, Gina Ortiz Jones is facing a well-funded Republican opponent with views that stand in direct opposition to the values we hold dear. These are the same values we thought we shared with each of you.”

Jones, who served as Under Secretary of the Air Force during the Biden administration, would be the first LGBTQIA+ mayor of San Antonio if elected.

During a Tuesday interview with KSAT-TV, Nirenberg said he doesn’t plan to make endorsement in the current race.

“I would encourage folks to do their homework,” the mayor said. “Obviously, this is a critical race for the City Council elections as well, but I’m on my way out, ready to hand the baton to the new leadership, and it’s time for the voters to decide.”

Nirenberg has long been viewed as an ally of San Antonio’s LGBTQIA+ community, voting in favor of a non-discrimination ordinance during his first as a District 8 councilman and last year codifying the city’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board.

His decision to not make an endorsement also is something of a historical outlier.

Former San Antonio mayors Julián Castro and Phil Hardberger both endorsed Jones’ candidacy. In 2021, Castro also endorsed then-incumbent Nirenberg for mayor.

Early voting for the runoff election runs through June 3. Polls will reopening 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on June 7, Election Day. Residents can find polling station information and verify their registration status by visiting the Bexar County Election Department’s website.

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This article appears in May 14-27, 2025.