Emily Joy Garza
Emily Joy Garza ran for election to the San Antonio City Council to represent District 9 in Texas. She lost in the general election on May 3, 2025.
Garza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Emily Garza graduate from Grand Haven High School. She graduated from the Studio Arts College International in 2005, from the Douglas J. Institute of Esthiology in 2006, and from the Beau Institute of Permanent and Corrective Cosmetics in 2016. Her career experience includes being self employed, launching a small business, and as a corporate executive for Fortune 500 companies.[1]
Garza has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]
- River Aid San Antonio
- Daisy Cares
- Dizzy Dog Rescue
- Footbridge Foundation
- Encino Rio Neighborhood Alliance (ERNA)
- American Academy of Micropigmentation (AAM)
- Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP)
- Chondrosarcoma CS Foundation
- Mayo Clinic
- Halt the Hate
- No Kill San Antonio (NKSA)
- Wags and Whiskers - Spay/Neuter Advocates
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in San Antonio, Texas (2025)
General runoff election
General runoff election for San Antonio City Council District 9
Misty Spears defeated Angi Aramburu in the general runoff election for San Antonio City Council District 9 on June 7, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Misty Spears (Nonpartisan) | 56.7 | 13,862 | |
 | Angi Aramburu (Nonpartisan)  | 43.3 | 10,580 | |
| Total votes: 24,442 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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General election
General election for San Antonio City Council District 9
The following candidates ran in the general election for San Antonio City Council District 9 on May 3, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Misty Spears (Nonpartisan) | 38.0 | 6,244 | |
| ✔ | | Angi Aramburu (Nonpartisan) | 35.6 | 5,845 |
| April Chang (Nonpartisan) | 9.0 | 1,484 | ||
| Daniel Mezza (Nonpartisan) | 8.6 | 1,419 | ||
 | Emily Joy Garza (Nonpartisan) | 5.4 | 883 | |
 | Tristen Hoffman (Nonpartisan) | 1.9 | 308 | |
 | Celeste Montez-Tidwell (Nonpartisan) | 1.5 | 245 | |
| Total votes: 16,428 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Garza in this election.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Emily Joy Garza completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Garza's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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In 2013, I founded DOLLISTIC, a restorative micropigmentation business. Over the last 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of helping over 10,000 clients rebuild their confidence after facing challenges like chemotherapy, alopecia, and domestic abuse.
I believe that leadership is about listening, learning, and acting in the best interest of the people you serve. I’m committed to representing our neighborhood with transparency, compassion, and a focus on solutions-oriented results. Whether it’s improving safety, supporting local businesses, or ensuring we take care of our most vulnerable (like seniors and animals). I’ll ALWAYS keep the needs of our community at the forefront.
Although I am not a native San Antonian, I got here as fast as I could (especially after growing up in frigid Western Michigan)! My family and I chose San Antonio as our forever home because husband grew up here, and we want our son to experience the same joys of childhood.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you to build a safer, more prosperous District 9 to live, work and raise our families.- Serving People, Not Politics: Unlike other D9 candidates, who are career politicians, I’m not here to serve political agendas or be influenced by lobbyists. My focus is solely on the needs of my neighbors who call District 9 home. I believe in authentic, transparent leadership that prioritizes community interests over special interests. My commitment is to put the people first—always and prioritize solutions-oriented results.
- Protecting Our Vulnerable: I am proudly the only D9 candidate committed to protecting and advocating for our vulnerable. I will enhance services for seniors, ensuring they have access to healthcare, transportation, and aging with dignity. I’m committed to fighting our animal care crisis by promoting responsible pet ownership education, expanding spay/neuter services, and broadening adoption and foster care support. Additionally, I’ll prioritize preserving and enhancing green spaces, ensuring our environment is protected and valued. For our youth, I will advocate for mentorship and after-school programs. I will also strengthen mental health support for those in need. My goal is to create a District 9 where compassion is the forefront.
- Your Feedback is the Heart of My Vision: Together, we’ll focus on three key pillars in District 9: Community Confidence, Empowering Local Prosperity, and Protecting Our Vulnerable. As a global corporate executive and a successful small business owner, I’ve understand firsthand how strong leadership and thoughtful decision-making can create real change. I’m committed to turning your concerns into action—ensuring a District 9 where safety, economic opportunity, and accessible community support are priorities. Together, we’ll build a thriving, vibrant neighborhood where families feel secure, small businesses succeed, and every voice is heard. Let’s build the future we deserve!
This role is about listening to the people you represent and ensuring their voices are heard. It's about working with others to solve problems and holding the city accountable for how resources are used. Whether it’s addressing infrastructure issues like crumbling roads or pushing for better public health services, city council members are the ones who roll up their sleeves and get things done.
What's more, the council plays a vital role in overseeing the executive branch of local government, making sure the mayor and other appointed officials are working in the best interest of the community. From creating laws that impact zoning to approving budgets that allocate resources, the council ensures that the city operates fairly and efficiently.
2. Empathy: A true leader listens to all community members. By understanding the concerns of residents—whether it’s our seniors, families, or small business owners—empathy ensures that our policies meet the real needs of District 9, respecting the values that make our community strong.
3. Accountability: Good leadership requires taking responsibility for every decision. Residents deserve an official who is fully committed to delivering results—whether it's improving public safety or creating a more supportive environment for local businesses.
4. Vision: Leadership should have a clear vision for the future that prioritizes safety, economic prosperity, and community values. Policies should be tailored to our District’s needs, ensuring long-term growth without compromising our way of life. Focusing on practical, achievable solutions will guide our District to a secure and thriving future.
5. Collaboration: Building trust requires working together. A strong community is built on cooperation between local leaders, businesses, and residents. Effectively tackle pressing issues with solutions-oriented results —ensuring that the voices are heard and respected.
2. Ensuring Public Safety: City Council members must work to create a safe environment for all residents. This includes supporting the police, fire, and emergency services, improving roadways, and advocating for initiatives that keep our communities safe and secure.
3. Fiscal Responsibility: Managing the city's budget with care and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely is essential. City Council must work to prioritize investments in infrastructure, public services, and community programs that create lasting value for District 9.
3. Supporting Local Prosperity: It’s important to foster a strong economy by supporting small businesses and creating job opportunities. City Council must champion initiatives that help local businesses thrive and ensure that economic growth benefits all residents.
4. Improving Quality of Life: A council member must work to improve the everyday lives of residents. This means advocating for accessible public services.
Additionally, the council has oversight of the city's budget, which means we directly influence how funds are allocated to vital services like public safety, infrastructure, and environmental protection. It’s more than just voting on issues—city council members play a key role in determining the long-term direction and priorities of the city.
Additionally, my resilience as a cancer survivor has taught me the importance of persistence and remaining solution-oriented, even when facing challenges. I believe District 9 deserves a council member who can negotiate effectively and bring people together for the good of our neighborhoods, businesses, and families. I’m committed to being that leader—someone who works collaboratively, keeps District 9’s best interests at the forefront, and ensures our voice is represented in every decision.
City Councilmembers hold the responsibility of listening to their constituents, representing their concerns, and enacting policies that reflect the values and needs of the community. This office also provides the ability to act on pressing issues in real-time. For District 9, this role is crucial in fostering a thriving, safe, and prosperous community where residents are heard, supported, and empowered.
Wasteful spending and a lack of transparency are two critical issues that need to be addressed. A prime example of this is the recent $800,000 spent on temporary sidewalk repairs for the Final Four tourists. While it’s important to accommodate visitors, this short-term band-aid raises concerns about the city’s priorities and lack of proactive planning. That money could have been better allocated to long-term infrastructure improvements that benefit all residents, NOT just tourists.
Additionally, the lack of transparency surrounding Project Marvel is another example of how taxpayer dollars are being used behind closed doors. Major projects like this must be handled with full public input and oversight to build trust with the community. The people of District 9 deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent, and they have a right to be involved in the decision-making process.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate San Antonio City Council District 9 |
Personal |
Footnotes
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