San Antonio Council to Vote on Censure of Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones

Closed-door investigation leads to unprecedented move against mayor over heated exchange with councilwoman.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The San Antonio City Council announced it will hold a vote on Friday to potentially censure Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, following a closed-door investigation into a heated discussion between Jones and District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur. The censure vote is largely symbolic and would not strip the mayor of any powers, but is meant to signal to Jones that her colleagues want her to rein in her behavior.

Why it matters

The censure vote highlights growing tensions on the San Antonio City Council and raises questions about the city's political climate. While the council members say they all love the city, the public squabble between elected leaders could undermine public trust and distract from pressing issues facing the city.

The details

After three hours of closed-door deliberations, the council said it will move forward with the unprecedented censure vote against Mayor Jones. Five councilwomen filed a joint memo earlier this month calling for the vote, alleging that Jones berated Councilwoman Kaur during a discussion about the fate of a LGBTQ+ nightclub. While the exact details of the exchange remain unclear, Jones has acknowledged raising her voice and using profanity, though she denies demeaning her colleague.

  • The council will hold the censure vote on Friday, February 28, 2026.
  • The closed-door investigation into the incident between Jones and Kaur took place on Monday, February 24, 2026.

The players

Gina Ortiz Jones

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

Sukh Kaur

A San Antonio city councilwoman who was allegedly berated by Mayor Jones in a closed-door meeting.

Jalen McKee-Rodriguez

A San Antonio city councilman who announced the upcoming censure vote against Mayor Jones.

Marina Alderete Gavito

A San Antonio city councilwoman who signed the complaint against Mayor Jones and hopes the censure vote will "reset civility at City Hall."

Jon Taylor

A political scientist at the University of Texas at San Antonio who warned the censure vote could have unintended consequences and make the council members "look thin-skinned."

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What they’re saying

“This is not an issue of support. One thing is abundantly clear, and it's that each of us loves this city very much and we're passionate. We will not always agree on what's best for the city or how we get there, but we each have a duty to maintain a work environment that is conducive to that business, and to treat one another with respect.”

— Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, San Antonio City Councilman (sacurrent.com)

“This is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to professionalism and respect at City Hall, which are fundamental to serving our community. Our code of conduct sets clear expectations, and upholding them is essential to accountability and to maintain the public's trust.”

— Marina Alderete Gavito, San Antonio City Councilwoman (sacurrent.com)

“It makes them look thin-skinned. San Antonio and Texas politics are a rough-and-tumble world, and you have to have thick skin. You have to be able to roll with the punches and deal with people calling you names and dropping obscenities at you.”

— Jon Taylor, Political Scientist, University of Texas at San Antonio (sacurrent.com)

What’s next

The full text of the complaint against Mayor Jones will be posted online once Friday's council agenda is updated.

The takeaway

The censure vote against Mayor Jones highlights the growing tensions and lack of civility on the San Antonio City Council, which could undermine public trust and distract from the city's pressing issues. The council members must find a way to maintain professionalism and respect, even when they disagree, in order to effectively serve their constituents.