From Air Force to City Hall: Gina Ortiz Jones runs for mayor of San Antonio
Photo from Gina Ortiz Jones/Facebook
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Despite setbacks in her previous bids for office, Filipino American Gina Ortiz Jones is determined to bring her vision for San Antonio to life, fueled by her passion for community service and commitment to inclusivity.
“Every challenge has only strengthened my resolve to serve our city,” she says as she embarks on her latest campaign for mayor, seeking to transform her experiences into impactful leadership for the seventh-largest city in the US.
Jones made history when President Joe Biden appointed her as the 27th undersecretary of the Air Force in 2021, becoming the first openly gay person and the first woman of color to hold this position. Throughout her political career, she has been a strong advocate for civil rights, national security and economic opportunity.
On May 3, Jones aims to become San Antonio’s next mayor, representing a city that is home to approximately 10,000 Filipino Americans.
Her campaign focuses on job creation, economic development and civil rights, reflecting her dedication to inclusive policies. Her slogan, “There is no time to waste,” emphasizes her sense of urgency.
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In a recent interview with LGBTQ Nation, the former Air Force officer stated, “Transparency leads to accountability, and accountability leads to trust.”
Born in Virginia and raised in San Antonio by her mother, Victorina Ortiz, who emigrated from Pangasinan, Jones embodies the values of hard work and community service instilled in her from a young age.
She graduated from John Jay High School and earned an Air Force ROTC scholarship to Boston University, where she served as an intelligence officer and was deployed to Iraq.
Photo from Gina Ortiz Jones/Facebook
Before her role in the Biden administration, the 44-year-old Jones was a two-time Democratic nominee for Texas’s 23rd Congressional District, aiming to be the first openly gay representative from the Lone Star State. Although she lost in 2018, she gained significant recognition and positioned herself as a strong candidate within the party.
If elected mayor, Jones plans to prioritize affordable housing, improve childcare access and address educational gaps in her first 100 days. She believes in a holistic approach, recognizing that housing, childcare and transportation are interconnected challenges for families.
Photo from Gina Ortiz Jones/Facebook
“What’s important as a leader is to understand how we move forward,” Jones said. “We need to tackle the issues facing our community, including the 95,000 families that are housing insecure every month.”
Jones’s extensive management experience uniquely qualifies her for the mayoral role. As undersecretary of the Air Force, she managed a $173 billion budget and led 600,000 personnel. She emphasizes that effective leadership requires asking critical questions: “Do my folks have what they need to be successful? Are we making smart investments?”
Photo from Gina Ortiz Jones/Facebook
Her experiences navigating the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy have shaped her commitment to inclusivity and civil rights, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized groups. She advocates for responsible national security policies and immigration reform that balances security with compassion.
Jones is also committed to ensuring access to quality education and vocational training, believing every student should have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. She aims to bring effective leadership and a results-driven approach to the mayor’s office, fostering community trust and strategic planning for economic growth.
In the first public polling for San Antonio’s May 3 mayoral race, the Fil-Am candidate is currently in the lead, having joined the race in December.
Early voting begins on April 22, and if no candidate secures at least 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff on June 7.
Throughout her career, the Fil-Am Iraq veteran has earned numerous accolades, including the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the highest civilian award from the Department of Defense. She also serves on several boards and councils, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the Asian American Foundation Advisory Council.
With advanced degrees from Boston University, the University of Kansas and the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies, Jones stands out for her dedication to advancing civil rights and addressing the pressing issues facing her community as San Antonio prepares for the upcoming election.
