Melissa Cabello Havrda Announces Run for San Antonio Mayor
San Antonio Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda Announces Bid for Mayor,Aiming to Make History
SAN ANTONIO – Northwest Side Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda officially launched her campaign for San Antonio mayor Wednesday morning,setting the stage for a historic election.
Speaking on the steps of City Hall,Cabello Havrda emphasized the need for strong leadership and unity in San Antonio. “We have to bring that unity here to San Antonio, and that’s why I bring to the table,” she declared.
Cabello Havrda, a practicing attorney, went on to make a powerful statement: “My name is Melissa Cabello Havrda, and I’m running to be the first latina mayor of San Antonio.”
This announcement marks the culmination of months of speculation and comes as Cabello Havrda completes her third term representing District 6. A West Side native, she has built a reputation as a thoughtful and detail-oriented councilwoman, chairing the Public Safety Committee and serving on several other key committees, including Governance, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Municipal Court Advisory.
While initially known for her measured approach, Cabello Havrda has increasingly taken on more prominent roles in recent months. In September 2023, she proposed a bold plan to mitigate future CPS Energy rate hikes by redirecting a portion of the city’s revenue back to the utility.
Earlier this year, Cabello Havrda spearheaded a group of five council members calling for a meeting to discuss the city attorney’s performance, demonstrating her willingness to challenge the status quo.Cabello Havrda’s entry into the mayoral race adds another layer of complexity to an already dynamic political landscape. Her candidacy is sure to energize voters and spark meaningful conversations about the future of San Antonio.
San Antonio Councilwoman Launches Mayoral Bid, Renewing Focus on Abortion Access
San Antonio, TX – Councilwoman teri Castillo (D5) officially announced her candidacy for San Antonio mayor on Wednesday, injecting a renewed focus on abortion access into the already crowded race.Castillo, a vocal advocate for reproductive rights, previously led a push for the city to allocate funds specifically to help women cover travel costs for abortions outside of Texas.
Castillo’s campaign announcement comes after the city council recently approved a reproductive justice fund,but notably without the inclusion of travel funding for abortion care.
“I believe every San Antonian deserves access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, regardless of their zip code or income,” Castillo said in a statement. “This means ensuring access to safe and legal abortion care, even in the face of restrictive state laws.”
Castillo’s campaign finance report, covering the first half of 2024, shows $55,130 in available cash.She joins a field of 16 candidates vying for the mayor’s seat, including two other council members, Adriana Rocha Garcia (D4) and Manny Pelaez (D8). Councilman John Courage (D9) announced his withdrawal from the race on Monday.
Other notable candidates include former District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry, former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, and tech entrepreneur Beto alatamirano.
The upcoming mayoral election will be the first under a voter-approved change to the city charter, extending the terms for both the mayor and council members from two to four years. Candidates will still be limited to a total of eight years in office.
San Antonio’s Mayoral Race Heats Up: A Closer Look at the Leading Candidates
The race for San Antonio mayor is shaping up to be a historic and fiercely contested election. With a field of 16 candidates vying for the top spot, the city is poised for a dynamic and potentially groundbreaking shift in leadership.
Here, we delve deeper into the campaigns of three leading contenders:
Melissa Cabello Havrda:
Councilwoman Havrda’s announcement that she is running for mayor makes her a frontrunner. Aiming to be San Antonio’s first Latina mayor, Havrda emphasizes the need for strong leadership and unity. her experience as a councilwoman, especially her work on the Public Safety Committee and chairing key committees, has earned her a reputation for thoughtfulness and detail-oriented decision-making.Her recent, bold proposals regarding CPS Energy rate hikes and her willingness to challenge the status quo demonstrate a proactive approach to leadership.
Teri Castillo:
Councilwoman Castillo enters the race with a clear focus on abortion access. A vocal advocate for reproductive rights, Castillo’s campaign promises to ensure access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortion care. This stance sets her apart in a crowded field and is highly likely to resonate with voters who prioritize these issues. Her recent push for city funding to help women access abortions outside of Texas, despite the city council’s approval of a reproductive justice fund without travel funding, highlights her commitment to this cause.
Manny Pelaez:
Councilman Pelaez rounds out the prominent councilmembers seeking the mayor’s seat. His platform and campaign strategy remain to be seen, but his experience on the council and name recognition within city politics make him a notable contender.
The 2024 San Antonio mayoral election promises to be one for the history books. With a diverse field of candidates and a range of priorities,voters will have a meaningful role to play in shaping the future of the city. As the campaign heats up, stay tuned for in-depth coverage and analysis of the issues and candidates vying for the mayoral seat.