San Antonio Mayor Focused on 'Moving Forward' Amid Censure Call

Half of City Council calls for censure of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones over 'unprofessional conduct'

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones said she is focused on 'moving forward' as half of the City Council calls for her censure over 'repeated instances of unprofessional conduct'. The censure proposal comes after a confrontation on Feb. 5 between Jones and District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur related to the Bonham Exchange nightclub's fire code compliance issues.

Why it matters

The call for censure highlights growing tensions between Mayor Jones and some members of the City Council, raising questions about the mayor's leadership style and ability to work collaboratively with the legislative branch. The Bonham Exchange case also underscores the challenges city officials face in balancing public safety concerns with supporting local businesses.

The details

Five councilmembers - Phyllis Viagran (District 3), Teri Castillo (District 5), Marina Alderete Gavito (District 7), Ivalis Meza Gonzalez (District 8) and Misty Spears (District 9) - called for a special meeting to propose censuring Mayor Jones. The councilmembers cited 'repeated instances of unprofessional conduct' involving the mayor. The confrontation on Feb. 5 between Jones and Councilwoman Kaur was related to the Bonham Exchange nightclub, which was several years overdue for installing a required sprinkler system to meet fire code. Mayor Jones supported the fire chief's directive to reduce the nightclub's occupancy, while Kaur proposed a resolution to give the business more time, which Jones said would not have addressed the safety concerns.

  • On Monday, five councilmembers called for a special meeting to propose censuring Jones.
  • The confrontation between Jones and Councilwoman Kaur occurred on Feb. 5.
  • The Bonham Exchange missed the Jan. 31 deadline for establishments to either be compliant or be on the path towards a compliance plan.

The players

Gina Ortiz Jones

The Mayor of San Antonio who is facing a call for censure from half of the City Council.

Sukh Kaur

The District 1 Councilwoman who filed a formal code of conduct complaint against Mayor Jones after the Feb. 5 confrontation.

Bonham Exchange

A gay nightclub in San Antonio that was several years overdue for installing a required sprinkler system to meet fire code, leading to a confrontation between Mayor Jones and Councilwoman Kaur.

Valerie Frausto

The San Antonio Fire Chief who called the Bonham Exchange a 'fire trap' and directed the nightclub to reduce its occupancy.

Patrick Christensen

The attorney for the Bonham Exchange who confirmed the nightclub signed an agreement with the city to remain open with reduced occupancy.

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What they’re saying

“Let me be very clear: When the fire chief calls the Bonham Exchange a 'fire trap,' I take that very seriously. And so, when she says, 'reduce the occupancy,' you know what we're going to do? Reduce the occupancy.”

— Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio (KSAT)

“Fire code, in my book, is nonnegotiable.”

— Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio (KSAT)

“Asking tough questions, right, and really digging into the issues that I think are in the best interest of our community, I'll continue to do. ... If I have in any way hurt somebody's feelings though, I will always apologize, 'cause that is never my intention.”

— Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio (KSAT)

What’s next

The formal code of conduct complaint filed by Councilwoman Kaur against Mayor Jones will be investigated over the next two weeks.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges city leaders face in balancing public safety concerns with supporting local businesses, as well as the need for effective communication and collaboration between the mayor and city council members to address community issues.