APRIL 15, 2025 — The UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR) distinguishes itself as the only independent organization conducting public polling ahead of San Antonio’s municipal elections. The center is playing an important role in delivering trusted, data-driven insights that keep the community informed. Most recently, CPOR issued its second survey gauging voter support in the upcoming mayoral election.
“What makes this new UTSA poll so important is the large number of candidates and the fact that voters are still forming opinions. In a race this crowded, polling becomes essential, not just to assess voter preferences but to identify the issues that matter most to San Antonians. This is what sets our center apart. We’re not just tracking who is leading; we’re helping define what matters,” said Bryan Gervais, UTSA associate professor of political science and CPOR director.
In results from its most recent poll, conducted last week, San Antonio voters are slightly more certain about how they will vote in the May 2025 mayoral election, but a plurality are still undecided. The poll shows 30% of voters don’t know who they will vote for, down from 35.2% in a survey CPOR conducted in February, after the filing deadline for candidates.
Gina Ortiz Jones increased her lead in voter support to nearly 13%, a 3.5-point gain from February. John Courage followed next at slightly more than 7%, compared to nearly 8% support in the February poll.
Beto Altamirano and Rolando Pablos had the largest upticks in voter support. Altamirano’s support increased by 3 points, from 4% to just under 7%, putting him third in terms of overall voter support. Pablos’ support increased 4%, from less than 1% in February to 5% in this poll.
Five other candidates — Manny Pelaez, Melissa Cabello Havrda, Adriana Rocha Garcia, Clayton Perry and Tim Westley — each have between 3% and 5% support, according to UTSA’s poll. None of the other 18 candidates polled above 1%.
Just over 15% of voters, or one in seven, are unfamiliar with any of the 27 candidates vying to replace Ron Nirenberg, a slight decline from the more than 20% of voters surveyed in the first poll.
“This mayor’s race is very fluid given the number of voters who are unsure. A lot could change as the campaigns ramp up during early voting and voters make up their minds. However, if voters keep breaking the way that they have, it appears that Jones is in a pretty solid position to advance to a run-off election,” Gervais said.
CPOR’s newest poll queried 685 San Antonio likely voters to gain their thoughts and opinions about the upcoming mayoral race. CPOR also asked the likely voters about downtown redevelopment, including Project Marvel and a new Missions stadium, and trust in all levels of government. The poll was administered in English and Spanish via email from April 7 to April 9 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.7%.
“This is what sets our center apart. We’re not just tracking who is leading; we’re helping define what matters.”
