Santos Alvarado

Santos Alvarado ran for election for Mayor of San Antonio in Texas. He lost in the general election on May 3, 2025.

Alvarado completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Santos Alvarado was born in San Antonio, Texas. He served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 2011. He earned a high school diploma from Edgewood High School. His career experience includes working as a retired. Alvarado has been affiliated with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans.^[1]

Elections

2025

General runoff election

General runoff election for Mayor of San Antonio

Gina Ortiz Jones defeated Rolando Pablos in the general runoff election for Mayor of San Antonio on June 7, 2025.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Gina Ortiz Jones (Nonpartisan)	54.3	77,587
	Rolando Pablos (Nonpartisan)	45.7	65,245

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 142,832
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Mayor of San Antonio

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of San Antonio on May 3, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gina Ortiz Jones (Nonpartisan)	27.2	27,517
✔		Rolando Pablos (Nonpartisan)	16.6	16,798
		Beto Altamirano (Nonpartisan)	12.1	12,190
		Adriana Garcia (Nonpartisan)	9.9	10,016
		Manny Pelaez (Nonpartisan)	7.3	7,398
		Melissa Cabello Havrda (Nonpartisan)	6.7	6,736
		John Courage (Nonpartisan)	5.6	5,625
		Clayton Perry (Nonpartisan)	5.5	5,575
		Tim Westley (Nonpartisan)	3.7	3,776
		Robert Melvin (Nonpartisan)	0.9	944
		Christopher Reyes (Nonpartisan)	0.5	522
	Submit photo	Sonia Traut (Nonpartisan)	0.4	449
	Submit photo	Diana Uriegas (Nonpartisan)	0.4	444
		Jade McCullough (Nonpartisan)	0.4	425
		Brandon Gonzales (Nonpartisan)	0.4	355
		Mauricio Sanchez (Nonpartisan)	0.3	337
		Andrew Vicencio (Nonpartisan)	0.3	303
	Submit photo	Michael Samaniego (Nonpartisan)	0.3	302
	Submit photo	Chris Herring (Nonpartisan)	0.2	236
		Robert Salinas (Nonpartisan)	0.2	197
	Submit photo	Gerardo Zambrano (Nonpartisan)	0.2	183
		Santos Alvarado (Nonpartisan)	0.2	164
	Submit photo	James Melvin (Nonpartisan)	0.2	163
	Submit photo	Armando Dominguez (Nonpartisan)	0.2	152
	Submit photo	April Guadarrama (Nonpartisan)	0.1	149
	Submit photo	Bill Ruppel (Nonpartisan)	0.1	113
	Submit photo	Arturo Espinosa (Nonpartisan)	0.1	81

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 101,150
= 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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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Alvarado in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

Santos Alvarado completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Alvarado's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is San Alvarado, I was born and raised in San Antonio and lived on the westside. I attended 6 schools in the Edgewood ISD, during my high school at Edgewood HS I participated in the JROTC program. I joined the US Army at 17 and left San Antonio as a soldier. I returned home as a combat veteran after I retired in 2011. I have served in various leadership position in the army. I was also a Department Commander in the American Legion in the Department of France. I have 4 grown children, 3 of them reside in Germany where I lived during my Army career and as a Department of Defense employee. After I retired from the US Government, I decided that I would return to my hometown, where I was raised.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I want to return power back to the people, where they are part of the decision making. I am committed to making city government more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people of San Antonio. Your voice should shape the future of our city, not just special interests or bureaucrats.
I will establish a dedicated commission to tackle homelessness with practical, compassionate, and effective policies, ensuring safety and dignity for both those in need and the broader community.
Animal control is an important issue that affects public safety, health, and the well-being of animals in San Antonio. I will work to improve San Antonio’s animal control policies by expanding resources for shelters, increasing spay and neuter programs, and promoting responsible pet ownership.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Government Transparency & Voter Empowerment – Making sure San Antonians have a greater say in city decisions by promoting accountability and public participation.

Economic Growth & Tourism – Strengthening San Antonio’s economy by boosting tourism and supporting local businesses.

Homelessness Solutions – Addressing homelessness through a dedicated commission focused on real, compassionate, and effective solutions.

Animal Control & Welfare – Ensuring humane and effective policies for stray animals, shelter support, and responsible pet ownership.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Gen George Patton Jr, he was a good leader and soldier. He has taught me how to lead and be a good mentor.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Servant as Leader – Robert K. Greenleaf

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity & Transparency

Voters need to trust their leaders. Being honest, open, and accountable ensures the public feels confident in your decisions.
Commitment to Public Service
An elected official should be focused on serving the people, not personal gain. The community’s needs should always come first.
Strong Leadership & Decision-Making
Leaders must make tough choices, stand by their principles, and be willing to take responsibility for outcomes.
Listening & Responsiveness
A great leader listens to constituents, understands their concerns, and takes real action based on community input.
Problem-Solving & Innovation

Every city faces challenges. A strong official looks for practical, forward-thinking solutions rather than relying on politics as usual.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I possess Leadership qualities, I have been to laedership schools and have been a good leader.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Representing the People

The mayor serves as the voice of San Antonio’s residents, advocating for their needs and ensuring their concerns are heard at all levels of government.
Setting the Vision & Policy Priorities
The mayor helps shape the city's direction by proposing policies, guiding development, and addressing key issues like economic growth, public safety, and infrastructure.
Overseeing City Government & Budget
While the city manager handles daily operations, the mayor plays a key role in ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and city services are effective.
Promoting Transparency & Accountability
The mayor should ensure government decisions are made openly, fairly, and with public input. Holding officials accountable is essential for trust.
Strengthening the Economy & Community
From tourism to small business support, the mayor must work to create jobs, attract investment, and ensure San Antonio thrives for all residents.
Addressing City Challenges

Whether it’s homelessness, public safety, or infrastructure, the mayor must take a proactive approach to solving issues and improving residents' quality of life.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I would like to leave as mayor of San Antonio is one of empowerment, progress, and unity, a city where government truly works for the people, where residents feel heard, and where the city thrives for generations to come.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

November 22, 1963, the day John F Kennedy got shot. I was 5 yrs old, to this day I still remember what I was doing.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was through a program that was available for students during the summer. It was a program called SANYO(San Antonio Neighborhood Youth Organization). Where I worked at my High School as a custodial worker.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Kill Squad, it told me of the things to come.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Sgt Rock

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Reflections of my life by marmalade.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Trying to support a family with a low income.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

The mayor isn’t just a decision-maker but a facilitator—ensuring that residents have a real say in how their city is run. It’s about transparency, accountability, and making government accessible to everyone. A great mayor doesn’t just manage the city’s day-to-day operations but also inspires progress—whether that’s boosting tourism, tackling homelessness, or creating economic opportunities. Leadership means setting goals that improve quality of life for all. Challenges like homelessness, public safety, and infrastructure require real action, not just talk. A strong mayor owns both successes and setbacks, learns from them, and pushes forward with solutions. San Antonio is a diverse city, and leadership means bringing people together—businesses, neighborhoods, and different communities—to collaborate instead of divide.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

The mayor should drive the city’s priorities, ensuring the council and city manager are focused on issues that matter most to residents—such as homelessness, public safety, economic growth, and government transparency.

Acting as the chief advocate for San Antonio, the mayor should push for policies that serve all communities, not just political insiders.
Engaging citizens through town halls, public forums, and open government initiatives should be a top focus.

Since the city manager handles daily administration, the mayor has the opportunity to be a visionary leader who tackles long-term issues.

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

An ideal relationship would involve clear communication, mutual respect, and collaborative decision-making to ensure effective governance and community representation. The mayor and council should prioritize the needs and interests of the community, working together to create a better future for all residents.ve governance and community representation.

What do you love most about your city?

San Antonio is a vibrant blend of traditions, with its Mexican-American roots, the famous Alamo, and historic missions that continue to shape its identity. The city’s culture is woven into the daily life—from the art and festivals to the food, music, and community events.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Homelessness & affordable housing, traffic & public transportation, public safety & community trust

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

As the largest city in Texas, San Antonio should have a strong voice in state decisions. The mayor and city council must advocate fiercely for policies, funding, and resources that address the city's priorities—such as homelessness, education, transportation, and infrastructure—while also highlighting the city's role in driving the state’s economy. There should be cooperation between the city and state government on regional issues like traffic congestion, public transportation, and affordable housing. Working together on solutions that benefit the city and the state will help make both stronger.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

The ideal relationship between San Antonio and the federal government should be rooted in collaboration, support, and shared responsibility, with a focus on addressing both local challenges and national priorities. San Antonio should be a strong advocate for federal funding to support key local priorities—such as infrastructure development, public health, education, and affordable housing. The federal government should view San Antonio as a key partner in addressing broader issues like urban development, climate change, and economic growth.

Tell us your favorite joke.

don't have one.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor's office and law enforcement?

The ideal relationship between the mayor’s office and law enforcement should be one of collaboration, accountability, and community-focused leadership. While law enforcement plays a critical role in maintaining public safety, it is the mayor’s responsibility to ensure that their actions align with the values of the community and uphold the principles of justice and fairness. Here’s what that relationship should look like.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

none

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Taxpayers deserve to know exactly how their money is being spent. I support making the city budget more accessible and understandable for the public, ensuring no backroom deals or wasteful spending. City policies and contracts should be discussed openly, with public input. I believe in livestreaming more city meetings, improving public records access, and ensuring residents can easily track where decisions are made. Elected officials must be held to the highest ethical standards. I support independent oversight and consequences for officials who misuse funds or break public trust.

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.

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Candidate

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 31, 2025

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 31, 2025

[1]

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Santos Alvarado

Contents

Biography

Elections

2025

General runoff election

General runoff election for Mayor of San Antonio

General election

General election for Mayor of San Antonio

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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