The dash towards the San Antonio mayoral seat is gaining traction with tech entrepreneur Beto Altamirano and Councilman Manny Pelaez taking the lead in campaign fundraising efforts. As per the latest filings that cover the first half of 2024, Altamirano has raised a total of $62,000 for his bid to replace the term-limited Mayor Ron Nirenberg in 2025, with $20,000 coming from his pockets and an additional $50,000 loan to his campaign. Ahead of the next filing deadline in mid-January, the City Council has opted to scrap quarterly reports, providing fewer check-ins on campaign war chests as the race heats up.
Altamirano, who leapt into the race in May and spent around $52,000, including a substantial $30,000 on ad videography and photography, reports having $60,000 on hand, according to a recent report by the San Antonio Report. Not trailing too far behind, Pelaez, having launched his campaign a month earlier, raised $47,000 and spent a chunk on local consultants Viva Politics, sitting at $9,000 cash on hand. Undisclosed by the future reports, which may reveal more about their financial tactics, both candidates are showing strong fundraising game early in the mayoral contest.
Among other contenders, Councilman John Courage showed some financial muscle with a blend of fundraising and personal investment, securing $19,000 in contributions and loaning his campaign $25,000. Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, also eyeing the mayor's office, racked up $15,800 after meeting with political and business figures last month. Despite raising less, she boasts a notable $48,500 in reserves.
Curiously, first-term Councilman Marc Whyte, while yet to declare a mayoral run, has raised more funds than any other candidate in the field, bringing in a cool $88,000. With expenditures at a modest $9,000, his campaign's coffers sit heavy with $107,000. Whyte, currently eyeing reelection in District 10, hinted at the gravity of the mayoral choice, stating "We have to get who the next mayor is right. It's a very important decision for the future of our city," he told the San Antonio Report. Candidates looking to file for the mayoral race can do so between December 16 and February 14, with the elections slated for May 3.
Amid the financial flurry, Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia raised a modest $1,950 and faced expenditures totaling $4,500, holding $24,000 cash on hand. Former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos is also considering tossing his hat into the ring after establishing a think tank.
In district races, newcomer Councilwoman Sukh Kaur in District 1 raised $22,000 with an impressive $62,000 left in the bank. In contrast, District 3's incumbent, Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, after recovering from an earlier health scare, has shown her determination to remain in the race by recently raising money and reporting $11,500 cash on hand. District 6's Chris Baecker is making another run after capturing 11% of the vote in 2023, raising $3,075 this first half of the year for the next round.
With District 8's seat opening as Pelaez vies for the mayoral position, Sakib Shaikh has raised $48,000, including a personal loan to his campaign of $25,000. Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, former chief of staff to Nirenberg, isn't far behind with $34,700 raised. Both have demonstrated a readiness to fill the void left by Pelaez, with Shaikh reporting $66,000 on hand and Gonzalez tagging at $23,000.
