San Antonio Councilwomen Move to Censure Mayor Jones After Confrontation

Five council members filed a memo calling for the censure of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones over alleged unprofessional conduct.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Five members of the San Antonio City Council - all women - filed a memo on Monday calling for the censure of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. The memo alleges that Jones engaged in "repeated instances of unprofessional conduct," including a reported argument last week with District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur over a vote about whether to close a downtown LGBTQ+ nightspot due to a fire code violation. The council members stated that they have a duty to hold the mayor accountable in order to preserve the integrity and trust of San Antonio's government.

Why it matters

Censure votes are typically reserved for serious misconduct by elected officials, and this move by the council members signals a breakdown in the working relationship between the mayor and some members of the city council. The incident highlights tensions within San Antonio's local government and the challenges of maintaining professional conduct among elected leaders.

The details

According to the memo, Mayor Jones allegedly yelled and cursed at Councilwoman Kaur when the two stepped away from last Thursday's council meeting. After the confrontation, Kaur was absent from the dais for 90 minutes, during which time she holed up in a meeting room to regain her composure. One source reportedly told the Express-News that Thursday's incident was the "last straw" for some council members tired of Jones' confrontational actions against people who disagree with her.

  • On February 9, 2026, five San Antonio City Council members filed a memo calling for the censure of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones.
  • The alleged confrontation between Mayor Jones and Councilwoman Kaur occurred during a City Council meeting on February 5, 2026.

The players

Gina Ortiz Jones

The mayor of San Antonio who is facing a potential censure vote by the city council.

Sukh Kaur

The District 1 councilwoman who was allegedly involved in a confrontation with Mayor Jones.

Phyllis Viagran

The District 3 councilwoman who was one of the five signatories on the memo calling for Jones' censure.

Teri Castillo

The District 5 councilwoman who was one of the five signatories on the memo calling for Jones' censure.

Marina Alderete Gavito

The District 7 councilwoman who was one of the five signatories on the memo calling for Jones' censure.

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What they’re saying

“We all experience difficult days, but when a leader repeatedly fails to meet these standards, it is our duty to hold them accountable in order to preserve the integrity and trust of San Antonio's government and the people we serve.”

— Phyllis Viagran, Teri Castillo, Marina Alderete Gavito, Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, and Misty Spears, San Antonio City Council members (sacurrent.com)

What’s next

Under city code, the San Antonio City Council must publicly discuss whether to censure Mayor Jones and vote within seven days.

The takeaway

This censure move by the council members reflects a breakdown in the working relationship between the mayor and some city council members, highlighting the challenges of maintaining professional conduct among elected leaders. The incident underscores the importance of accountability and trust in local government.