Christopher Reyes returned home to San Antonio in 2017 after serving abroad in the U.S. Army. He currently works as a survey technician for an engineering company.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
I am a father of four, three girls and a boy. I have been married to my wife Heidi for
eighteen years. I was born and raised in San Antonio, returning in 2017 after serving in the Army from 2003-2017. I graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 2002, attended St. Mary’s University, and later earned a B.S. in Geospatial Information Science with a minor in Computer Science from Texas State University. During my military career, I served in combat arms and as an aerial sensor operator, holding leadership positions such as platoon sergeant and first sergeant. After the Army, I worked as a bus operator for VIA Metropolitan Transit and currently serve as a survey tech for an engineering company. Although I’ve never run for elected office, my experience in leadership and community service drives my commitment to serving San Antonio.
In a field of 27 mayoral candidates, what differentiates you from the others?
What sets me apart in a crowded field of mayoral candidates is my unique combination of leadership, crisis management, technical expertise, and public service. With over a decade of military leadership experience, I’ve managed complex tasks, led diverse teams, and made critical decisions under pressure. My background in transportation, community engagement, and technical fields like GIS and surveying equips me with the skills to address San Antonio’s infrastructure and urban development needs effectively.
I understand the importance of accountability and transparency, having managed operations with zero security violations in high-stakes environments. My commitment to service, both military and civilian, drives me to serve San Antonio by implementing strategic, community-focused solutions. Unlike other candidates, I bring a diverse, well- rounded approach to leadership that blends strong decision-making, technical proficiency, and an unwavering dedication to public service.
If elected, you would be taking over at a time when the city has spent more than a year negotiating a massive downtown redevelopment effort in Project Marvel. How would you approach this project?
If elected, I would take a cautious, thoughtful approach to Project Marvel, carefully
considering its long-term impact on San Antonio and its residents. While I recognize the potential benefits of downtown redevelopment, I do not support using taxpayer funds to finance such a massive initiative. Taxpayer money should be reserved for essential services such as public safety, education, and infrastructure.
Instead of continuing as planned, I would advocate for exploring alternative funding
sources, such as private investments, public-private partnerships, or grants, to ensure
that the project is financially sustainable without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.
Additionally, I would call for a comprehensive review of the project to ensure it aligns
with the needs of all San Antonians, including affordable housing, improved public
services, and environmental sustainability. It is essential that we balance development
with the preservation of our city’s unique character and ensure that any redevelopment is beneficial to all residents. I am committed to being a mayor who prioritizes the interests of the people and ensures that any significant investment, like Project Marvel, benefits the city without unnecessary financial risk to taxpayers.
In the city’s 2024-2025 budget survey, residents ranked homelessness, streets,
housing and animal care services among their top concerns for the city to address. Which issues do you consider a top concern and how would you work to address them in your first 100 days?
Homelessness is the top concern, and addressing it requires a comprehensive,
compassionate approach. In my first 100 days, I would prioritize immediate solutions by increasing the availability of temporary shelters and expanding access to mental health and substance abuse services. Homelessness is often tied to underlying issues such as mental illness and addiction, so it’s crucial that we tackle these root causes with empathy and care. I would work with local nonprofits, healthcare providers, and law enforcement to create coordinated support systems that offer both immediate relief and long-term pathways out of homelessness. This would include not only more transitional housing but also wraparound services like job training, healthcare, and substance abuse treatment.
Alongside homelessness, I would immediately begin addressing concerns about streets, housing, and animal care services by ensuring that city departments are properly funded and efficient. For housing, I would explore the data to surmise what is actually needed. For animal care, I would look into better resources for shelters and adoption programs. These concerns are vital to San Antonio’s well-being, and I am committed to addressing them with urgency, empathy, and effective action.
For the past four years San Antonio has worked closely with the Biden Administration on federally funded projects like airport development and Advanced Rapid Transit. How would you approach working with both state leaders in Austin and a new presidential administration in D.C.?
I believe in maintaining a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach when working with both state leaders in Austin and a new presidential administration in Washington, D.C. While personnel may change, the issues facing San Antonio remain largely the
same — whether it’s infrastructure, public safety, or economic development.
I would approach working with the current administration in D.C. just as effectively as we have with the previous one. The focus would remain on advocating for federal funding and partnerships that align with the city’s priorities, such as airport development and expanding transit options like Advanced Rapid Transit. Likewise, my approach to working with state leaders in Austin would be consistent—prioritizing collaboration and open communication to secure the resources and support necessary for the city’s growth. I would build strong relationships, regardless of political affiliation, to ensure that San Antonio’s needs are met and that we continue to make progress on vital projects.
Ultimately, my focus will be on results, not partisanship. I will work diligently to secure
resources, foster collaboration, and drive progress for San Antonio—ensuring that the city’s needs are addressed no matter the political climate.
Read more about Christopher Reyes
Inside the expensive, ‘confusing,’ 27-candidate race to be San Antonio’s next mayor
