Gina Ortiz Jones

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Gina Ortiz Jones
BornGina Maria Ortiz Jones
2/1/1981
BirthplaceArlington, Virginia, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, U.S. Air Force veteran
Title184th Mayor of San Antonio
Known for184th Mayor of San Antonio; Under Secretary of the Air Force (2021–2023)
EducationBoston University (BA, MA), University of Kansas (MA), United States Army Command and General Staff College (MMAS)
AwardsUnder Secretary of the Air Force (2021–2023)
Websitehttps://ginaortizjones.com/

Gina Maria Ortiz Jones (born February 1, 1981) is an American politician and United States Air Force veteran serving as the 184th mayor of San Antonio, Texas, since June 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Jones previously served as the 27th Under Secretary of the Air Force from 2021 to 2023 under President Joe Biden. Before entering civilian government service, she served as an Air Force intelligence officer and was deployed during the Iraq War. Jones first gained national attention as the Democratic nominee for Texas's 23rd congressional district in 2018, when she narrowly lost to incumbent Republican Will Hurd, and again in 2020, when she lost to Tony Gonzales. Her election as mayor of San Antonio made her the first Asian-American female mayor of a major city in Texas, the first openly lesbian mayor of San Antonio, and the first female mayor in Texas to have served in a war zone. She is also the first mayor of San Antonio since 2005 to have not previously served on the city's council.[1][2]

Early Life

Gina Maria Ortiz Jones was born on February 1, 1981, in Arlington, Virginia. Her mother immigrated to the United States from the Philippines, and Jones has spoken publicly about her family's immigrant background as a formative influence on her public service career.[3][4] Jones grew up on the West Side of San Antonio, Texas, where her mother raised her and her sister as a single parent. She has described her upbringing as rooted in the working-class neighborhoods of San Antonio, crediting public education and community support as key factors in her trajectory toward military service and government work.[5]

Jones's Filipino-American heritage has been a prominent aspect of her public identity. Coverage of her congressional campaigns frequently noted that, if elected, she would have been the first Filipina-American member of the United States Congress.[3] Her mother's experience navigating the immigration system and building a life in the United States informed Jones's later policy positions on immigration, veterans' affairs, and access to healthcare and education.[4]

Education

Jones attended Boston University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree.[6] She subsequently earned a Master of Arts from the University of Kansas. Jones also completed a Master of Military Art and Science (MMAS) degree at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, further deepening her expertise in military strategy and national security affairs.[7] Her educational background combined international relations, intelligence studies, and military science, which formed the foundation for her career in the Air Force and later in defense policy.

Career

Military Service

Jones was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force and served on active duty from 2003 to 2006. She was assigned to the 18th Air Support Operations Group and served as an intelligence officer. During her active-duty service, she was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, making her one of a growing number of female veterans who later entered politics.[8][9] She held the rank of Captain upon completing her service. After leaving active duty, Jones continued her military affiliation as a reservist from 2008 to 2010.[7]

Following her military service, Jones held several positions in the federal government related to national security and trade policy. She served as an intelligence analyst and worked on issues related to trade enforcement, including a role with the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Her work in these positions focused on protecting American economic interests and enforcing trade agreements.[10]

2018 Congressional Campaign

In August 2017, Jones announced her candidacy for Texas's 23rd congressional district, becoming the first Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Will Hurd for the 2018 election cycle.[11] Texas's 23rd congressional district, which stretches across a large portion of the Texas-Mexico border region from San Antonio to the outskirts of El Paso, was considered one of the most competitive congressional districts in the state and a prime target for Democratic efforts to retake the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jones's candidacy attracted significant national attention. She was part of a record-breaking wave of women candidates, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals running for office in the 2018 midterm elections.[12][13] Her campaign received endorsements from EMILY's List, which became involved in the race as part of its broader strategy to support Democratic women candidates in Texas.[14]

During the primary season, Jones won the Democratic nomination. She and Will Hurd set fundraising records for the district, with both campaigns attracting substantial financial support as national organizations invested heavily in the race.[15] Jones ran on a platform emphasizing healthcare access, veterans' issues, border security, and economic opportunity, drawing on her personal background as a veteran and daughter of an immigrant.[16]

Jones challenged Hurd to a series of six debates across the sprawling 23rd district.[17] The race was closely watched as one of the most competitive House contests in the country. Coverage in outlets including CNN, Bloomberg News, The Washington Post, HuffPost, and NBC News highlighted Jones as emblematic of broader demographic and political shifts in the 2018 election cycle.[12][9][18]

In the November 2018 general election, Jones narrowly lost to Hurd. The race was one of the closest congressional contests in the country that cycle, with the final margin separating the two candidates by fewer than 1,000 votes.[7]

2020 Congressional Campaign

Following her narrow defeat in 2018, Jones launched a second campaign for Texas's 23rd congressional district in 2020. Will Hurd announced he would not seek re-election, creating an open seat. Jones again won the Democratic primary and faced Republican nominee Tony Gonzales in the general election. Despite the open seat and her prior name recognition in the district, Jones lost to Gonzales in November 2020.[7]

Her two consecutive campaigns for the 23rd district raised her national profile within the Democratic Party and positioned her as a prominent figure among a new generation of veteran-candidates and LGBTQ political leaders.[19][20]

Under Secretary of the Air Force

In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Jones to serve as the 27th Under Secretary of the Air Force. She was confirmed by the United States Senate and took office on July 26, 2021, succeeding Matthew Donovan in the role. As Under Secretary, Jones served as the second-highest civilian leader of the Department of the Air Force, which oversees both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force. She held this position until March 6, 2023, when she was succeeded by Melissa Dalton.[7]

Jones's appointment was noted as historic: she was the first openly lesbian person and the first person of Filipino descent to serve as Under Secretary of the Air Force.[4] In the role, she was responsible for the management and operation of the Department of the Air Force, including matters related to personnel, readiness, and modernization.

Mayor of San Antonio

In 2025, Jones ran for mayor of San Antonio, Texas. She advanced to a runoff election and won, becoming the 184th mayor of San Antonio. She took office on June 18, 2025, succeeding Ron Nirenberg. Her election was historic on multiple fronts: she became the first Asian-American female mayor of a major city in Texas, the first openly lesbian mayor of San Antonio, and the first female mayor in Texas to have served in a war zone. She was also the first San Antonio mayor since 2005 to have not previously served on the city council.[1]

Economic Development Initiatives

Early in her tenure, Jones focused on economic development and positioning San Antonio to attract companies in emerging technology sectors. In March 2026, she announced the establishment of the Mayor's Economic Security Advisory Group (ESAG), a body of experts in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and space technologies tasked with advising the city on strategies to recruit high-tech industries.[1][21][22] The initiative was framed as a response to broader economic competition among Texas cities and concerns about the state's economic positioning.[1]

Jones also pursued efforts to boost voter participation in San Antonio and to strengthen oversight of data centers operating in the city's area.[23]

Censure by City Council

In February 2026, the San Antonio City Council voted 8–1 to censure Jones, formally reprimanding her for conduct that the council characterized as "workplace violence" following a shouting match. The censure resolution also temporarily removed Jones as chair of the Governance Committee. Jones became the first San Antonio mayor in modern history to be censured. Before recusing herself from the vote, Jones issued a statement saying she would comply with the censure resolution.[24][25][26]

Personal Life

Jones is openly lesbian, a fact she has discussed publicly throughout her political career.[4][20] Her partner is Angelica Cortez.[7] Jones has been recognized as a prominent LGBTQ political figure in Texas, and her elections and appointments have been noted as milestones for LGBTQ representation in government.[13]

Jones is of Filipino-American descent through her mother, who immigrated to the United States from the Philippines. She has spoken frequently about how her mother's experience as an immigrant and a single parent shaped her values and commitment to public service.[3][5] She was raised on the West Side of San Antonio and has maintained close ties to the city throughout her career.[5]

Recognition

Jones's career has been marked by a series of historic firsts. Her appointment as Under Secretary of the Air Force in 2021 made her the first openly lesbian person and the first person of Filipino descent to hold that position.[4] Her election as mayor of San Antonio in 2025 added further milestones: she became the first Asian-American female mayor of a major city in Texas, the first openly lesbian mayor of San Antonio, and the first female mayor in Texas who had served in a combat zone.[1]

During her 2018 congressional campaign, Jones was featured prominently in national media coverage of the record number of women, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates running for office. She was profiled by CNN, NBC News, Bloomberg News, The Washington Post, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, and other outlets as part of the broader wave of diverse candidates seeking to reshape American politics.[12][13][9][18][27] Her campaigns also received national attention from EMILY's List and other organizations supporting women candidates.[14]

Legacy

Jones's career spans military service, federal government leadership, congressional campaigns, and municipal governance, making her one of the more prominent Filipino-American and LGBTQ political figures in Texas. Her two congressional campaigns in Texas's 23rd district, while unsuccessful, were among the most closely watched races in the 2018 and 2020 election cycles and contributed to heightened national attention on the competitiveness of border-region districts in Texas.[11][15]

Her appointment as Under Secretary of the Air Force under President Joe Biden represented a significant milestone for both LGBTQ representation and Filipino-American representation in senior defense leadership. Her subsequent election as mayor of San Antonio in 2025 further expanded the scope of her public service career and brought additional attention to questions of representation in Texas municipal government.[1]

As mayor, Jones has focused on economic development through initiatives such as the Economic Security Advisory Group, while also navigating challenges including the February 2026 censure by the city council.[21][24] Her tenure continues to draw attention both locally and nationally as she balances policy priorities in emerging technology, voter participation, and municipal governance.[23][22]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Mayor's new economic plan fueled by Abbott warning".The Business Journals.2026-03-12.https://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/news/2026/03/12/mayor-s-new-economic-plan-fueled-by-abbott-warning.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  2. ↑ "KSAT Q&A: Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones discusses Dilley detention facility, César Chávez March cancelation".KSAT.2026-03-11.https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/03/11/ksat-qa-mayor-gina-ortiz-jones-discusses-dilley-detention-facility-cesar-chavez-march-cancelation/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Will Gina Ortiz Jones become first Filipina American in Congress?".Inquirer.net.http://usa.inquirer.net/13366/will-gina-ortiz-jones-become-first-filipina-american-congress.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Cover Story: Breaking Down Borders".OutSmart Magazine.http://www.outsmartmagazine.com/2018/05/cover-story-breaking-down-borders/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "West Side native Gina Ortiz Jones wants to create opportunity in District 23".San Antonio Express-News.https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/politics/article/West-Side-native-Gina-Ortiz-Jones-wants-to-create-12905866.php.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  6. ↑ "Gina Ortiz Jones: Texas Office". 'Boston University}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 "Gina Ortiz Jones". 'Ballotpedia}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Female Veterans Lead the 2018 Charge".Harvard Political Review.http://harvardpolitics.com/united-states/female-veterans-lead-2018-charge/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Democrats Bet on a New Generation of Vets to Deliver the House".Bloomberg News.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-27/democrats-bet-on-a-new-generation-of-vets-to-deliver-the-house.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  10. ↑ "This Lesbian Air Force Veteran Is Setting Her Eyes on Congress".OZY.https://www.ozy.com/politics-and-power/this-lesbian-air-force-veteran-is-setting-her-eyes-on-congress/83179.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Hurd gets first Democratic challenger for 2018".The Texas Tribune.2017-08-02.https://www.texastribune.org/2017/08/02/hurd-gets-first-democratic-challenger-2018/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Women candidates dominate primaries".CNN.https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/women-candidates-dominate-primaries-05-24-18/index.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Texas sees historic number of LGBTQ candidates running for office".NBC News.https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/texas-sees-historic-number-lgbtq-candidates-running-office-n879736.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "EMILY's List gets involved in fifth Texas race for Congress".Austin American-Statesman.https://www.statesman.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/emily-list-gets-involved-fifth-texas-race-for-congress/SCNPCNaMiQCERTvD3TgXJJ/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Hurd, Democratic challenger on pace to shatter fundraising record".Roll Call.https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/hurd-democratic-challenger-pace-shatter-fundraising-record.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  16. ↑ "Gina Ortiz Jones Will Hurd Texas 2018".HuffPost.https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gina-ortiz-jones-will-hurd-texas-2018_us_5a4c069ce4b0b0e5a7a94c48.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  17. ↑ "Jones challenges Hurd to six debates in 23rd".San Antonio Express-News.https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/politics/article/Jones-challenges-Hurd-to-six-debates-in-23rd-12992719.php.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "There's an election wave you probably haven't heard of yet — and it's important".The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/theres-an-election-wave-you-probably-havent-heard-of-yet--and-its-important/2018/05/30/7854fd4e-6344-11e8-99d2-0d678ec08c2f_story.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  19. ↑ "Gina Ortiz Jones Congress Texas".HuffPost.https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gina-ortiz-jones-congress-texas_us_5b043424e4b003dc7e46b984.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Gina Ortiz Jones".Washington Blade.http://www.washingtonblade.com/2018/06/20/gina-ortiz-jones/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Mayor Announces New Economic Security Advisory Group". 'City of San Antonio}'. 2026-03-10. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Mayor forms group to help lure high-tech industries to San Antonio".San Antonio Express-News.2026-03-10.https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/economic-security-advisory-group-san-antonio-21997690.php.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones seeks to boost voter participation".Texas Public Radio.2026-03-08.https://www.tpr.org/podcast/the-source/2026-03-08/mayor-gina-ortiz-jones-seeks-to-boost-voter-participation.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "San Antonio City Council approves formal reprimand of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones in 8-1 vote".Texas Public Radio.2026-02-27.https://www.tpr.org/government-politics/2026-02-27/san-antonio-city-council-approves-formal-reprimand-of-mayor-gina-ortiz-jones-in-8-1-vote.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  25. ↑ "San Antonio City Council censures Mayor Jones for 'unacceptable conduct'".San Antonio Express-News.2026-02-27.https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/san-antonio-mayor-gina-ortiz-jones-censure-21940985.php.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  26. ↑ "Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones censured as council concludes shouting match amounts to 'workplace violence'".San Antonio Report.https://sanantonioreport.org/mayor-gina-ortiz-jones-censure-san-antonio/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  27. ↑ "Gina Ortiz Jones Is Running for Texas's 23rd District in March 6 Texas Primary".Teen Vogue.https://www.teenvogue.com/story/gina-ortiz-jones-is-running-for-texass-23rd-district-in-march-6-texas-primary.Retrieved 2026-03-12.

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