It’s been speculated for months that Councilman Ron Nirenberg (D8) will enter the 2017 mayoral race against Mayor Ivy Taylor, and Saturday, Dec. 10 could be the day that the councilman makes it official.
Nirenberg is set to make a “special announcement” that morning, according to an invitation sent via email Friday that lacked further details. Many believe the announcement will be that Nirenberg is running for mayor of San Antonio.
“We know that election season is coming very soon and the next few years are very critical to the city, so I’ll be making an announcement about the things I’ll be focusing on in the months and years to come,” he told the Rivard Report in a Friday phone call.
While Nirenberg told the Rivard Report in August that he’s considering running for mayor, he has refused to confirm whether or not he will follow through with those plans.
“I know there’s been a lot of speculation about that and about my future and my view on the direction of the city over the last year,” he said, “so that’s why we scheduled this announcement – so we could put all those rumors finally behind us.”
Throughout his term as District 8 Councilman, which began in 2013, he has been outspoken in his support for conservation and environmental efforts, sustainability, and increased transparency among government officials. He also has often found himself at odds with Taylor.
Taylor announced that she will run for re-election on Nov. 13 at a special event held at the future CAST Tech High School on the Fox Tech campus. She told the Rivard Report then that she anticipated competition, especially amid rumors that not only Nirenberg will put his name on the ballot, but also Councilman Rey Saldaña (D4).
“I look forward to talking with voters about my record of accomplishment as mayor, and my vision for a dynamic, globally competitive San Antonio where opportunity is open to everyone,” Taylor said Friday. “San Antonians deserve a vigorous, civil contest of ideas and a chance to examine the candidates’ ability to deliver solutions and not just sound bites.”
Nirenberg’s Saturday event, which will include “food, refreshments, and entertainment for the whole family,” will take place from 9:30-11 a.m. at 1001 Broadway, the same location that former mayor’s Phil Hardberger and Julián Castro used as their mayoral campaign headquarters.
