Meet Gina Ortiz Jones, San Antonio’s historic mayor-elect, Air Force veteran, and trailblazer. Explore her inspiring journey and groundbreaking win.
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Gina Ortiz Jones
In June 2025, Gina Ortiz Jones made history as the mayor-elect of San Antonio, Texas, becoming the first Asian-American woman to lead a major Texas city and the first LGBTQ+ mayor of her hometown.
From her roots as a first-generation American to her distinguished career as an Air Force veteran and high-ranking government official, Jones’s journey is a powerful story of resilience, service, and breaking barriers.
This blog post delves into her life, career, and the significance of her groundbreaking achievements.
Early Life And Education
Born on February 1, 1981, in Arlington, Virginia, Gina Maria Ortiz Jones was raised in San Antonio, Texas, by her single mother, Victorina Ortiz, an Ilocano immigrant from Pangasinan, Philippines.
Victoria dedicated over 40 years to teaching special needs students in public schools, primarily at Harlandale ISD.
Growing up alongside her younger sister, Christi Ann, a Navy intelligence officer, Jones faced financial challenges, relying on subsidized housing and reduced school lunches.
These experiences shaped her deep commitment to community service.
Jones excelled at John Jay High School, graduating in 1999, and earned an Air Force ROTC scholarship to Boston University.
There, she completed two undergraduate degrees in economics by 2003.
Her academic journey continued with an MA in Economics from Boston University, a Master of Military Art and Science (MMAS) from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and an MA from the University of Kansas, reflecting her dedication to intellectual and leadership development.
Military And Government Service
From 2003 to 2006, Jones served as an Air Force intelligence officer, reaching the rank of captain.
Operating under the restrictive “do not ask, do not tell” policy, she concealed her sexual orientation to protect her Air Force ROTC scholarship and career, a significant personal challenge.
She deployed to Iraq with the 18th Air Support Operations Group, demonstrating her commitment to national security.
After her military service, she advised on military operations in Latin America at Fort Sam Houston and joined the Defense Intelligence Agency, contributing to U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
Her expertise led to roles in the President’s Executive Office, where she managed portfolios at the intersection of economic and national security.
From July 2021 to March 2023, Jones served as Under Secretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration, becoming the sixth woman, the first woman of color, and the first openly lesbian to hold this position.
Overseeing a $173 billion budget, she implemented progressive policies, including allowing pregnant service members to fly and apply to Officer Training School, enhancing domestic abuse services, and producing a study on female officers’ performance.
Her resignation in February 2023 marked the end of a transformative tenure.
Political Journey And Historic Mayoral Win
Jones’s political career began with congressional campaigns in Texas’s 23rd district.
In 2018, she was the Democratic nominee, narrowly losing to Republican Will Hurd by 1,150 votes after raising $2.2 million.
In 2020, she won the Democratic primary but was defeated by Navy veteran Tony Gonzales by four percentage points. She raised over $1 million, including $100,000 24 hours after Hurd’s retirement announcement.
Her campaigns garnered endorsements from EMILY’s List, the Asian American Action Fund, Equality PAC, VoteVets, the LGBTQ Victory Fund, Wendy Davis, Khizr Khan, and Pete Buttigieg’s Win the Era PAC.
In December 2024, Jones announced her candidacy for San Antonio mayor, a nonpartisan office, following Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s term-limited tenure.
In the May 3, 2025, general election, she secured 27.2% of the vote among 27 candidates, advancing to the June 7 runoff against Rolando Pablos, a conservative former Texas secretary of state with ties to Governor Greg Abbott.
Jones won the runoff with 54.3% (77,484 votes) to Pablos’s 45.7% (65,202 votes).
Her campaign, heavily funded by out-of-state donors and utilizing prior congressional campaign funds, emphasized public safety, housing affordability, and early childhood education.
In her victory speech, she declared, “San Antonio showed up and showed out,” reflecting strong community support.
Key Issues And Campaign Stances
During the mayoral campaign, Jones addressed critical issues facing San Antonio, including a multi-million dollar budget deficit and infrastructure challenges at CPS Energy, the city-owned utility.
In debates, she emphasized the need for CPS Energy to increase energy capacity to attract businesses while keeping utility costs low for residents, advocating for renewable energy and sustainability measures.
She also faced controversy when Pablo’s campaign questioned her use of the surname Ortiz, suggesting it was adopted to appeal to Latino voters.
Jones, who took the name to honor her mother’s maiden name, dismissed the attacks as racially charged and focused on her policy priorities.
Key Milestones in Gina Ortiz Jones’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Born in Arlington, Virginia |
| 1999 | Graduated from John Jay High School, San Antonio |
| 2003–2006 | Served as Air Force intelligence officer, deployed to Iraq |
| 2018 | Ran for Congress in Texas’s 23rd district, lost to Will Hurd |
| 2020 | Ran again for Congress, lost to Tony Gonzales |
| 2021–2023 | Served as Under Secretary of the Air Force |
| 2024 | Announced candidacy for San Antonio mayor |
| 2025 | Elected mayor of San Antonio, first Asian-American woman and LGBTQ+ mayor |
Leadership With Find Out Pac
Beyond her mayoral role, Jones leads Find Out PAC, targeting Texas Supreme Court justices Jimmy Blacklock, Jane Bland, and John Devine for their 2024 ruling in Cox v. Texas.
All three justices were re-elected despite her efforts, with Blacklock becoming Chief Justice.
This leadership role underscores her commitment to political activism and judicial accountability.
Impact And Significance
Jones’s election is a landmark for diversity in Texas politics.
As the first Asian-American woman mayor of a major Texas city and San Antonio’s first LGBTQ+ mayor, she breaks significant barriers.
She is also the first San Antonio mayor since 1975 elected without prior city council service, bringing a fresh perspective to a city facing economic challenges.
Her background as a first-generation American raised in modest circumstances resonates as a uniquely American story of perseverance.
Her leadership experience, particularly in managing large budgets and implementing policy reforms, positions her to address San Antonio’s fiscal and infrastructural challenges effectively.
Public reaction, as seen on X, reflects her impact.
Posts celebrated her victory, noting that she is the only veteran mayor of a major U.S. city. Others highlighted the defeat of conservative efforts to block her.
Her story embodies the American dream, inspiring many with her rise from humble beginnings to transformative leadership.
Conclusion
Gina Ortiz Jones’s journey from a first-generation American to San Antonio’s mayor-elect is a powerful narrative of resilience, service, and breaking barriers.
Her historic election as the first Asian-American woman and LGBTQ+ mayor, coupled with her extensive military and government experience, positions her as a transformative leader.
As she prepares to tackle San Antonio’s challenges, her story inspires hope for inclusive leadership.
Curious about other trailblazers?
Please explore our website for more inspiring stories!
Trivia: Did You Know?
Gina Ortiz Jones is the first San Antonio mayor since 1975 to be elected without prior city council service, highlighting her unconventional path to leadership and her appeal as an outsider candidate.
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