Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran (D3) has represented part of San Antonio’s South Side since 2021, succeeding her sister Rebecca Viagran, who represented the district for eight years. She previously worked as a community service specialist for the San Antonio Police Department and held several roles at Visit San Antonio.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
I’m a proud lifelong resident of San Antonio’s Southside, where I was born and raised. After earning my bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and History from Texas Tech University, I began my career as a school teacher in Castroville. Later, I obtained a master’s in Bicultural Studies from UTSA and continued teaching on the Southside.
I’ve served in roles with the San Antonio Police Department as a community service specialist, with Visit SA as a Membership Sales Coordinator, and with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) as a Community Outreach Coordinator during the pandemic. For the past four years, I’ve had the honor of serving as the District 3 Councilmember.
List any previous experience in government or participation on local boards, commissions, or neighborhood associations.
I have served on the San Antonio City Council for nearly 4 years, having been elected twice for the position. Currently, beyond my city council committees, I serve on the boards of the San Antonio Housing Trust and PFC, the San Antonio Education Partnership, Visit San Antonio, and the Center for Health Equity of South Texas. Prior to serving my community as the elected council member, I was a board member for the Rape Crisis Center and for Brooks Gives Back.
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 for District 3 and how would you work to address them in your first 100 days?
The 2024-2025 budget survey accurately reflects the top concerns of District 3 – homelessness, streets, housing, and animal care services – and I would add public safety to that list. I have spent my last two terms addressing these issues. I’ve held town hall meetings so residents can voice their concerns about the homeless issue, I’ve advocated for more infrastructure funds for District 3 so we can fix more streets, and I’ve championed the opening of a new police substation on the Southside to help reduce police response times.
Currently, I’m working with my council colleague from the Eastside to open a new Animal Care Services Center in the area where our districts meet. In the first 100 days of my new term, I would continue working to fund more police officers and offer constituency service office hours in the community during the weekend to make my office more accessible for working families.
In a crowded field of council candidates, what differentiates you from the others?
As the current council member representing District 3, I bring years of experience to the job and a hardworking team who work hard every day for the residents of District 3. I’m already actively working on projects that will improve the quality of life of residents and help small, local businesses thrive. I have a track record of standing up for our community and I will continue to do so when given the opportunity to serve another term.
If elected, how do you plan to solicit input and feedback from residents in your district?
Community input has always been a priority for me since the first day I took office. I will continue to offer informative town halls, execute community surveys, visit community centers, and attend neighborhood meetings. This is how my office has worked for the past 4 years and we continue to communicate and engage with all of the residents of my area.
