I think it was a case of Pablos being a more known entity versus GOJ. In addition to previously serving as the head of the local Chamber of Commerce, he served on numerous boards and commissions in San Antonio, so the powers that be likely knew him from those interactions.
The other side of that coin, I'd say GOJ's outsider status was also a factor. She'll be the first mayor since Phil Hardberger (2005-2009), with no previous city council experience. You could also argue that Hardberger wasn't a complete outsider since he had been appointed and elected to the 4th Court of Appeals, which covers all of Bexar County, from 1994-2003. To find a mayor with no previous city council experience or even holding elective office, you'd have to go back to before San Antonio's current system of electing mayors and city council. Doing a cursory glance, I had to back to the 1950s to find such an instance.
Very happy that GOJ won in San Antonio!
Especially when many "establishment Democrats" did their best to hurt her campaign.
With friends like these...you know the rest.
What was going on there?
I think it was a case of Pablos being a more known entity versus GOJ. In addition to previously serving as the head of the local Chamber of Commerce, he served on numerous boards and commissions in San Antonio, so the powers that be likely knew him from those interactions.
The other side of that coin, I'd say GOJ's outsider status was also a factor. She'll be the first mayor since Phil Hardberger (2005-2009), with no previous city council experience. You could also argue that Hardberger wasn't a complete outsider since he had been appointed and elected to the 4th Court of Appeals, which covers all of Bexar County, from 1994-2003. To find a mayor with no previous city council experience or even holding elective office, you'd have to go back to before San Antonio's current system of electing mayors and city council. Doing a cursory glance, I had to back to the 1950s to find such an instance.