The Field for the Remaining Districts (D6-D10) Continues to Take Shape in the 2025 City Council Election
Elections San Antonio – As the race for San Antonio’s 2025 City Council election heats up, more candidates are stepping forward to shape the city’s future. Last week, we introduced the contenders for Districts 1 through 5, and now we turn our focus to Districts 6 through 10, where competitive races are taking shape ahead of the May election. With open seats and fresh challengers in the mix, voters will have key decisions to make as they choose their next city leaders.
District 6:
Councilwoman Havrda has joined the mayoral race, although her announcement was several months in the making and she was eligible to serve two more years, in that seat. Legislative staffer Donovan Rodriguez, appeared to be a formidable potential successor, but, he has since folded his campaign. Seven other candidates have since filed to appear on the ballot:
Lawson Alaniz-Picasso: A former D1 staffer, who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for Bexar County Precinct 1.
Chris Becker: An Economics professor and leader, of an Activist group InfuseSA, which tracks activities of city officials.
Vanessa Chavez: A former district director, for former D7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval as well as having worked for Neighborhood Housing Services and for three former council members.
Ric Galvan: Formerly worked as director of special projects for District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo since 2022. He has also been president of the Pipers Meadow Neighborhood Association since last April.
Kelly Ann Gonzalez: A political organizer, who previously worked for the union that represents city employees.
Gerald Lopez: Chief of Staff for former District 6 Councilman Ray Lopez, who owns a lawn care company. He ran unopposed for the Alamo Colleges District Board, in the May 2024 election. He had to step down as a Northside ISD, a position he’d held since 2015, to serve on the Alamo Colleges Board.
Carlos Antonio Raymond: A perennial Republican candidate for state office, recently ran as the Republican candidate, in the 2022 general election for Texas House District 125, Losing to the incumbent and former Councilman Ray Lopez.
District 7:
Incumbent Marina Alderete Gavito – Elected in June 2023. Has worked on council committees covering Community Health, Public Safety, Municipal Court Advisory and Transportation and Infrastructure. Has also been focused on Animal Care.
Challenger Trinity Haddox is a first-time political candidate.
District 8:
This race is to decide on who replaces Councilman Manny Pelaez. One potential contender, Pelaez’s mom, Marta Pelaez, decided not to run. Others in contention:
Cesario Garcia – A conservative activist who run unsuccessfully, in the past, for City Council.
Ivalus Meza Gonzalez: A former Nirenberg chief of staff, who previously ran for Bexar County Judge in 2022.
Paula McGee: An attorney who has lined up some high-profile endorsements.
Cindy Onyekwelu: A software engineering contractor, for the U.S. Air Force, within Port San Antonio.
Sakub Shaikh: A realtor, landlord and small business owner, who briefly worked for the Councilman in 2017.
District 9:
Despite being non-partisan, District 9 is regarded as one of the most conservative – leaning council districts, long represented by John Courage, a longtime conservative Democrat. Courage had dropped out, of this contest but has recently re-entered the race. Other candidates include:
Misty Spears – A conservative , currently serving as constituent services director, for Pct.3 Commissioner Grant Moody and who ran unsuccessfully for District Clerk in 2022.
Angie Taylor Danbury: A fitness entrepreneur, who was the Democratic nominee, for Texas House District 122, in 2022.
April Chang: A non-profit leader whose foundation created the inclusive playground Mitchell’s Landing
Daniel Mezza: An entrepreneur and Texas A&M graduate, who founded “Puro Nitro Coffee.”
District 10
Incumbent Marc Whyte, the Council’s line conservative, had a rough start, in the early stages, with DWI arrest months into the job. While appearing vulnerable, he has managed to raise more money, than some of the mayoral hopefuls, and kept his base of Northside leaders on board.
Only two candidates, thus far, have signed up to run against him:
Eric Litaker – A chef who relates to being driven and passionate.
Mark O’Donnell – A business consultant.
San Antonio Elections Side Notes:
- Councilman John Courage decided to re-enter the race as noted above.
- In the mayoral race, Christopher Herring has entered that contest. He is an Air Force veteran who previously served as Chairman of the Black Chamber of Commerce, and has other civic engagement experiences.
Quite a few things, of great interest wit the San Antonio Elections, and great importance to our readers, are transpiring as we speak and write. We aspire to be as informative as necessary, in the best interests of truth and genuine concern for humanity.
