To be an effective citizen, you have to be a knowledgeable one.

How does our local government work? Where can I have a say? Who can I go to if I have a problem? What resources are available to me?

Class is in session, San Antonians. We’re teaching SATX GOV 101, where we break down different aspects of our local government to become engaged citizens that create healthier (and more effective) communities.

How does it work?

In short, the Mayor and City Council members develop policies and enact laws.

The City of San Antonio is testing cool pavement on 10 key project locations across the city. | Screenshot by City of San Antonio

Who’s who? Let’s start at the top. We’ll give you a peek into our Mayor and City Council members, but strongly encourage you to get to know them by clicking on their names and exploring each member’s bio page on the City of San Antonio's website.

The Mayor
Council District members (10)

Mayor

Incumbent Ron Nirenberg reelected as San Antonio's Mayor during 2023 city general election. | Photo by SATXtoday team

Ron Nirenberg | Mayor Nirenburg (former District 8 Councilmember) is serving his fourth and final term in office and is the city's first mayor of Asian Pacific Islander descent. Since 2017, he has pursued policies to reduce poverty, improve public health, and overcome historical socioeconomic inequalities.

Council District members

Councilmember McKee-Rodriguez during a San Antonio City Council meeting. | Photo by City of San Antonio.

Dr. Sukh Kaur, District 1 | Councilmember Kaur was elected in June 2023 and is the first South Asian to serve on the City Council. Dr. Kaur advocates for minimizing infrastructure disruptions for neighborhoods + businesses, improving public safety, and supporting small businesses.

Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, District 2 | Councilmember McKee-Rodriguez has served this district since 2021 and is currently the Chair of the Municipal Court Advisory Committee. McKee-Rodriguez is the first openly-gay man elected to City Council in San Antonio, and is the first openly-gay Black man elected to any seat in Texas.

Phyllis Viagran, District 3 | Councilmember Viagran has represented the third district since 2021. She currently serves on the Audit Committee and the Community Health Committee, among others. Viagran is a native San Antonian who attended Providence High School, Texas Tech University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia, District 4 | Councilmember Garcia is a life-long San Antonian who represents the district she grew up in and is also an Assistant Marketing Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University. Dr. Garcia is the Chair of the Community Health + Planning and Community Development committees.

Teri Castillo, District 5 | Councilmember Castillo is a community organizer and a historian of Urban Policy who represents the district she grew up in. Castillo is currently a Chair of the Westside Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.

Melissa Cabello Havrda, District 6 | Councilmember Cabello Havrda is a native of this district and was elected to this position in 2019. She is the current chair of the City Council Public Safety Committee and Chair of the Municipal Courts Advisory Committee.

Marina Alderete Gavito, District 7 | Councilmember Alderete Gavito was elected in June 2023. Her committee assignments include Community Health, Public Safety, and Transportation + Infrastructure

Manny Pelaez, District 8 | Councilmember Pelaez has served this district since 2017 and is also a practicing attorney. Pelaez was Toyota Motor Manufacturing's first hire and served as their attorney for several years. He is currently the Chair of both the Economic + Workforce Development and Municipal Court Advisory committees.

John Courage, District 9 | Councilmember Courage is currently serving his fourth term in office and is a former member of the US Air Force. Some of his committee assignments include Audit and Governance, among others.

Marc Whyte, District 10 | Councilmember Whyte was elected to his first term in June 2023 and currently serves on the Audit, Economic + Workforce Development, and Public Safety committees.