In the expansive landscape of Texas, home to stronghold Democratic urban centers, an unexpected tilt towards the conservative side has recently been captured. As incumbent mayors vacate their positions, new leaders orientated towards right-wing ideologies are replacing them. San Antonio, one of the last remaining Democratic pillars, could soon witness a major shift in its political leadership, as voters prepare to select from 27 competing candidates for mayor.
However, while mayoral election campaigns style themselves as nonpartisan, the political association of the candidates seldom remains a secret. Democrats and Republicans alike have dug deep into their pockets in recent years, seeking to shape the decision of the voters in line with their own party preferences.
Predominantly Republican-led Fort Worth has had a place of honor, being one of the few metropolitan cities tipping towards conservatism. However, this exclusivity was disrupted when Mayor Eric Johnson of Dallas, previously a Democrat, switched his allegiance to the GOP. As a result, Dallas became another urban area under Republican leadership.
Comparatively, Austin and Houston stayed with their Democratic lineage, albeit with a toned-down centrism, as they selected lawmakers aligning with old-school Democratic ideologies. Austin’s Kirk Watson, a city leader in the late 1990s, outmatched a progressive Democratic state representative, reinforcing the centrist position.
However, these ‘islands of blue’ in the expansive Texan landscape have not been immune to the fluctuating public perception about the Democratic Party. Predominantly blue urban areas in the state have strived to mitigate the impact of policies from the heavily Republican state legislature. Yet, division appears on the horizon, as some cities begin to question the Democratic strategy.
The ongoing efforts involve contesting regulations seen as detrimental via lawsuits, passing city-specific policies that later face nullification, and sourcing city funds to preserve access to services aimed to be discontinued by the state. In one way or another, these maneuvers reflect an intrinsic struggle within the urban Democratic stronghold.
This year’s mayoral race in San Antonio is interestingly diverse, teeming with candidates who emphasize their intent to either cooperate or lock horns with state and federal authorities. Republican allies have a clear favorite in Rolando Pablos, who served as Secretary of State under Governor Abbott. They see Pablos as a potential driving force to veer the city towards conservatism and end the perennial tussles with state leaders.
Pablos is, however, not without competition. Among the contestants keen on riding the same conservative wave are former Councilman Clayton Perry of Northside and Department of Defense staffer Tim Westley. The mayoral race forms a critical juncture for the Republican ambition to gain hegemony over the key urban areas.
With a multitude of candidates, Democratic support in the race looks increasingly splintered. Among the names eyeing the mayor’s chair are notable figures such as former Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones, tech entrepreneur Beto Altamirano, and several council members. Despite the Democratic field being crowded, Jones and candidate Melissa Cabello Havrda have topped the charts in terms of criticizing state leaders.
The city of San Antonio has traditionally been a secure port for Democrats. Moreover, results from a new poll conducted by UTSA have reiterated this, affirming that locals maintain a higher level of trust in their civic body as compared to state officials.
Despite San Antonio’s track record, the upcoming May 3 mayoral election could create substantial shifts. The election is almost certain to necessitate a runoff on June 7 involving the two candidates securing the highest number of votes. To truly win, a candidate must secure 50% of the vote.
Interestingly, only one of these candidates has been able to surpass single-digit support in public surveys so far – Gina Ortiz Jones. This is indicative not only of her popularity but also the fragmented support among the Democratic hopefuls.