Cities & Counties
San Antonio council OKs Spurs arena district contracts
By Edmond Ortiz The city of San Antonio now has in hand two key pacts designed to advance the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district, which would be anchored by a new Spurs arena. What you should know City Council voted 10-1 May 7 to approve a contract with MuniCap Inc., a Maryland-based firm with…
Sparks fly as New Braunfels’ mayoral race heads to runoff election
By Edmond Ortiz New Braunfels’ incumbent mayor and a challenger who appeared to have upset him in the city’s May 2 election are exchanging words as the city proceeds to set up a runoff election to determine a winner. What is happening Michael French, a U.S. Army veteran and a former Trump White House staffer,…
Newcomers prevail in council elections in 3 Northeast Side cities
By Edmond Ortiz Three incumbents shared the limelight with three newcomers in winning city council races in a trio of Northeast Side suburbs on May 2. Garden Ridge Retired U.S. Navy captain Jim Hunter received 60% in winning Garden Ridge’s open Place 4 seat, defeating Jesus “Jesse” Valdez, a retired engineer and former council member. …
New Braunfels election: mayor ousted; runoff set for 1 council race
By Edmond Ortiz New Braunfels’ incumbent mayor was ousted in the May 2 elections, while one sitting councilor barely held onto her post and a second council member is headed for a runoff election. Mayor U.S. Army veteran Michael French, who worked at the White House during President Trump’s first term, ousted attorney Neal Linnartz,…
Newcomers win their share of north San Antonio-area city council elections
By Edmond Ortiz Political newcomers claimed victory alongside plenty of incumbent officeholders in May 2 elections held across six north San Antonio-area cities. Balcones Heights Councilmember Jack Burton was re-elected to the Place 1 seat with 65% of the vote over Vanessa Martin, a digital creator and a wedding officiant. Former Balcones Heights councilmember Juan…
Garza, McCormick, Apodaca win Kirby City Council seats
By Edmond Ortiz One political newcomer won a Kirby City Council seat during the May 2 local elections, while a former council member is returning, and a sitting council member was re-elected by the slimmest of margins. According to Bexar County elections data, Christopher “Chris” Garza, who lost a council re-election bid in 2024, was…
San Antonio-area voters to cast ballots in May 2 city council, school board elections; early voting starts in special Schertz election
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio-area voters are heading to the polls May 2 to determine the outcome of city council races in 12 cities, and school board contests in six school districts. Meanwhile, Schertz voters are casting ballots to settle a special Schertz City Council election. Prepare for May 2 elections Candidates participating in local…
Meet the candidates running in Garden Ridge, Kirby, Live Oak, Selma, Universal City
By Edmond Ortiz Voters in four Northeast Side suburban cities have several candidates to consider ahead of their respective May 2 City Council elections. A fifth city has no contested election, but one resident there is asking local voters to enter her name on a key position on their ballot. Garden Ridge Retirees Jesus “Jesse”…
7 pursue 2 City Council seats in Helotes, Shavano Park in May 2 elections
By Edmond Ortiz The May 2 municipal elections offer one contested City Council race in Helotes, while two current council members, a former councilor and two entrepreneurs are vying for three Shavano Park council posts. Helotes Place 1 Councilmember Craig Sanders and Place 2 Councilmember Jen Sones each declined to run again. Planning and Zoning…
Boerne ISD voters mull 1 school board race; 1 Fair Oaks Ranch match on the ballot
By Edmond Ortiz Voters taking part in the Boerne Independent School District’s May 2 elections will consider one contested race between a longtime trustee and a political newcomer. Additionally, in Fair Oaks Ranch, local voters will weigh a contest between an incumbent City Council member and an information technology professional. Boerne ISD Place 7 trustee…