SAN ANTONIO – The City of San Antonio hosted an inauguration ceremony on Wednesday for the new mayor and city council, who have already been sworn in.
Wednesday’s events began with a special City Council meeting to canvass the runoff election results, where the five winners, including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, were sworn in immediately.
Outgoing council members were honored with appreciation plaques.
KSAT 12 anchor Ernie Zuniga emceed the ceremony, which included special remarks, swearing-in and performances.
Jones is succeeding Ron Nirenberg, who has served in the city’s top job since 2017. Due to term limits, Nirenberg could not seek re-election.
She’s the third woman to lead the Alamo City and will serve under the city council’s new four-year terms.
>> San Antonio Mayor-elect Gina Ortiz Jones speaks about priorities ahead of inauguration day
Twenty-seven candidates vied for the open mayor seat. Jones defeated opponent Rolando Pablos with 54.3% of the vote in the June 7 runoff race.
Each council member had the chance to address the crowd at the inauguration.
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones
“I’m always guided by my mom’s example. My mom came to this country over 40 years ago. She graduated from the number one university in the Philippines, but came here as a domestic helper. My uncle joined the U.S. Navy in 1967 as a member of the Navy Steward program,” Jones said, in part. “My mom and my uncle humbled themselves for a chance at the American dream.”
“My time in public service has always shown me that true national security starts at home. It starts with a strong middle class. It starts with investing in smart, healthy kids and it requires elected officials that understand to whom they are accountable and it’s always the people,” she said.
“This is only the third time that young girls and young boys have the opportunity to hear a madam mayor. And that’s equally important for young girls and our young boys,” Jones said.
“This is a very talented group. I think you just heard, certainly by the remarks of council member Gavito about what she outlined and accomplished in her district. I think when you also look at the background of these fine public servants, there is a lot that we are going to be able to do for our city and there’s a lot that we need to do,” Jones said.
“Whether we’re talking about senior housing in District 9 or whether we’re talking about making sure that we have a justice system that is truly reflective of not only public safety, but we’re thinking expansively,” she said.
Sukh Kaur, District 1
“I know we’re going to work together to figure out some of the biggest challenges with infrastructure in our community to make a difference for residents,” said Kaur.
“The last year really taught me that the unique part about having affordable housing is that they need to be efficiency units. We have to address housing,” she added.
“The last thing we really need to focus on is public safety. Mayor Jones said earlier, I liked this metaphor. She said, ‘No failed missions.’ I appreciate that a lot because there is so much importance that we need to have in public safety in our community,” Kaur said.
Kaur also touched on the stray dog population in San Antonio.
“It is truly in District 1 a big issue. There is much pain when you hear that someone was attacked by a dog. It’s scary. It can be life-threatening. We don’t have strong solutions. It has to be a current solution and a long-term,” Kaur said.
Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, District 2
“Thank you so much to all of the city staff, from our part-time employees to our city management, it is an honor to work alongside you,” said McKee-Rodriguez.
“To District 2, my home, my heart and my mission. The soul of the city. Thank you for trusting me again. Years ago, we made history and now we’ve made a movement. I’m committed to seeing the movement forward,” he said.
“I’m proud in just these two last terms that we have shifted the conversation around public safety, from purely punishment to prevention. We have invested millions into long-neglected neighborhoods,” McKee-Rodriguez said.
Phyllis Viagran, District 3
“It is with great honor and humility that I sit before you today to begin my final four-year term representing the proud and resilient community of San Antonio’s South and Southeast Side,” said Viagran.
“When I first took this office, I made a commitment to push the South Side forward and over the past four years, we have done just that,” she continued.
“This next term will be about building on that momentum while addressing our city’s financial challenges,” Viagran said.
“I am honored to serve alongside a majority female City Council. The fourth time this has occurred in San Antonio,” she said.
“With this accomplished, diverse and deeply dedicated group of women leading our city, I have no doubt that we are building a more compassionate, equitable and responsive government,” Viagran said.
Edward Mungia, District 4
“Eighteen years ago, I first visited this chamber when I was a sophomore on a high school field trip. Our class actually met with a council aide, and when I told him that I might be interested in local government, he said, ‘that I could do it and I belong here,’” said Mungia.
“District 4 has been a home for my family for many years. I’m a proud product of my community,” he said.
“I wouldn’t have been able to sit up here without my great-grandparents immigrating to this country; my grandparents working hard to build something better,” Mungia said.
Teri Castillo, District 5
“Thank you for ensuring that I continue to lead with integrity and with District 5 centered with every decision that I make,” said Castillo.
“None of the thanks and accolades that our District 5 team receives would be done without all of the city employees, whether it’s solid waste, animal care services or code compliance, none of the work is done without city staff,” she said.
“I’m a strong believer that cities, nations and states are as strong as their most vulnerable. I’m hopeful with this council that’s elected today with our new mayor, that we will make great strides in ensuring that not just District 5 but the city of San Antonio continues to move forward,” Castillo said.
Ric Galvan, District 6
“There will never be enough words or time to express the honor it is to serve for the district that I grew up in,” said Galvan.
“To my family. My mom, my brother, to my girlfriend, to my family who couldn’t be here today or who couldn’t come at all, but were always on the campaign trail with me or supporting me from afar, I cannot say thank you enough,” he said.
“I also want to thank, of course, District 6, the entirety of it. I know that it was a close election, but I want to thank every single resident of District 6 who opened their door and who answered their phone. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk with you about the concerns in the community,” Galvan said.
“To make sure that we’re delivering on that vision that I set out on, a safer, more affordable and more quality place to live in District 6 and across our city,” he said.
Marina Alderete Gavito, District 7
“I’m honored to continue serving the residents of District 7. To all the neighbors, supporters, thank you for trusting me to continue this work,” said Gavito.
“Regarding transparency and accessibility, I said I would be accessible; I meant it. We didn’t sit behind a desk. We showed up at town halls, at our monthly coffees with the councilwoman. We block walked, not just during the campaign, all year long,” she said.
“Looking ahead, this inauguration marks not just a new term, but a renewed commitment. We’re not slowing down. We will work hard to keep our Spurs here in San Antonio and we will bring more investment to safety, infrastructure, small business, housing, and our green spaces,” Gavito said.
Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, District 8
“I’m born and raised here in San Antonio, and it is with a deep sense of pride and responsibility that I acknowledge their confidence in me,” said Meza Gonzalez.
“I believe that San Antonio is up to the challenge to make the course corrections needed to maintain our positive growth trajectory while remaining a compassionate city where our neighbors are always ready to support each other,” she said.
“District 8 is a sparkling jewel of diversity with vital educational, economic and healthcare resources and successful large and small businesses that serve our entire region,” Meza Gonzalez said.
Misty Spears, District 9
“The people of District 9 have given us our charge. Now, we’re going to fulfill it with drive and purpose,” said Spears.
“I will work shoulder to shoulder with our neighborhoods and our businesses to create a city that reflects what we all want: a place where we feel safe, where we are respected, where we can thrive,” she said.
“Job creation is another pillar of this vision. People deserve confidence in their future. They want the dignity of work that provides for their families. I want San Antonio to be the kind of city where businesses choose to headquarter and where working families don’t just get by, they get ahead,” Spears said.
“I’m not here to win headlines. I’m here to deliver results. I’m willing to build bridges. I’m open to ideas and I’ll work with anyone to make this city better,” she said.
Marc Whyte, District 10
“It’s how you rebound from the mistakes that really matter. Life isn’t easy. Keep pushing for what’s right and what makes you happy and I know both of you are going to do just that. I’m so proud of the ladies that you’re becoming,” said Whyte, discussing his two daughters.
“To the people of District 10, thank you for your trust in me. It is truly the honor of a lifetime to represent this great district. District 10 is a place with great neighborhoods, people who believe in faith, family and freedom,” he said.
“I believe that our collective talent and our shared passion for San Antonio is going to allow us to take this city to heights that it has never seen before,” Whyte said, addressing other council members.
“It really comes to three main things: public safety, doing what we can to make sure everyone in our city feels safe, it’s about infrastructure, making sure our infrastructure is up to par, so everyone can drive on safe roads, walk on safe sidewalks and have drainage systems that work, and then it’s economic development,” Whyte said.
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