SAN ANTONIO – A trio of San Antonio City Hall outsiders are far ahead when it comes to fundraising what is expected to be a crowded and costly mayor’s race.
Campaign finance reports filed this week show former congressional candidate and U.S. Air Force Undersecretary Gina Ortiz Jones, tech entrepreneur Beto Altamirano and former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos each had more than $132,000 in their war chest at the end of 2024. That’s more than triple what any of the four current or former council members running for mayor had.
Altamirano and Pablos have both buoyed their war chests with personal loans, and Ortiz Jones was able to transfer $6,800 from a former congressional campaign account.
However, reports show one candidate’s war chest could reflect a possible vulnerability. Others may be spending too much, too soon ahead the May 3 election.
Mayoral campaigns are only allowed to accept $1,000 per election cycle, which began July 1.
Political strategist Christian Archer estimates it will take between $600,000 and $800,000 for a candidate to make it to a runoff, which would extend the race to June 7.
The money pays for campaign staff and the various marketing candidates need to take advantage of the first mayor’s race without an incumbent in 16 years.
“You know, we’re the seventh largest city in the country,” said Archer, who is not representing any mayoral candidate. “To be on television in San Antonio — and to run TV ads, and to run an effective direct mail campaign, and block walking — you need cash to be able to do that effectively.“
Including their 2024 finance reports from before they announced mayoral campaigns, Councilman Manny Pelaez (D8), Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda (D6) and Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia (D4) trailed the outsider candidates in fundraising last year. Former District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry raised just $2,200.
Though the council members have their existing voter base, they will need to reach the entire city this time around.
“You can win a city council district with shoe leather express and knocking on doors,” Archer said. “You cannot do that only in the mayoral race.”
With the benefit of existing campaign chests, all council contenders, except Rocha Garcia, spent more than they raised.
Pelaez, despite bringing in $117,000 over the year, still spent $133,000.
The biggest cash burner was also the biggest fundraiser. Altamirano spent every dollar of the $194,757 contributed to his campaign in 2024 — plus a little more.
The $134,500 he has loaned himself to date is why Altamirano’s campaign is still flush with cash. According to a campaign news release, he has pledged to match donations up to $150,000.
Archer called Altamirano’s burn rate “alarming.” After the presidential election, there is little attention on the mayor’s race, though he expects that will pick up in February and March.
Right now, candidates should “hoard” their money until it matters, which Archer said is closer to the final three or four weeks of the campaign.
“So, to have spent that much money before real people are paying attention is a little concerning to me,” Archer said. “But the amount that he’s raised is also a really positive sign for Beto.”
Ortiz Jones was among the best at keeping ahold of her contributions. She reported spending less than $2,000 since launching her campaign.
The $132,000 she received in a single month showed both a strength and a potential weakness: 61% of her donations came from outside Texas.
The widespread donations reflect the national profile and connections she gained in her 2018 and 2020 congressional runs.
“She’s got a network that she could hit ‘send’ to on an email blast raising money. But once again, that doesn’t — that won’t determine — who the next mayor of San Antonio is,” Archer said.
That will be determined by San Antonio voters after the next three-and-a-half months of campaigning.
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