Beto Altamirano: bigcitysmalltown Mayoral Questionnaire
1. What qualifications support your bid for the job as mayor of San Antonio, and how are you reaching registered voters with a history of participating in local elections? (Please cite campaign fundraising, media buys, community events, mailers, etc.)
My public service experience includes roles in the Texas House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in the White House during the Obama administration, and the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. I have a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. I also served on the Port San Antonio, Launch SA, and Activate SA boards.
I’m proud to have co-founded my company here in San Antonio, Irys Technologies, that developed the City of San Antonio's 311 App. We started with three employees and now have close to one hundred, with our largest client being the 16th Air Forces Cyber Command at Port San Antonio.
I proudly served as the District 1 representative on the Port San Antonio board for six years, the last two as vice-chairman. Serving on the board gave me invaluable insight into the power of strategic collaboration in driving innovation and economic growth. With over 80 tenant companies, generating $5 billion in annual economic impact (including my largest client in the 16th Air Forces Cyber), I’ve seen firsthand how the right infrastructure, specialized spaces, and business support can accelerate advancements in aerospace, cybersecurity, global logistics, and beyond. The experience deepened my understanding of how ecosystems like Port San Antonio foster technological transformation and workforce development, positioning our region as a global leader in innovation.
As a small business owner, I know firsthand the challenges of building a company—making payroll, investing in growth, and even sacrificing my own salary to support employees. My background uniquely blends experience in both the public and private sectors, equipping me with the executive skills needed at City Hall: building the right teams, pursuing the right projects, and setting a clear vision to drive meaningful change. San Antonio gave me the chance to grow, build, and create impact. Now, I’m committed to ensuring others have the same opportunities to thrive.
To reach registered voters, our campaign has raised nearly $500,000 to deploy a targeted campaign aimed at residents with a history of voting in municipal elections. This includes the largest field program where our team is canvassing nearly 10,000 homes per week, phone banks that regularly make over 1,000 calls, and a robust digital and mail program that will reach thousands of San Antonio residents over the final weeks of the campaign.
2. What endorsements, if any, have you garnered?
I am honored to have received the endorsements of former Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, former State Representative Joe Farias, the North East Bexar County Democrats (NEBCD) and the Bexar County Tejano Democrats.
3. What programs and priorities initiated under Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s four terms in office would you continue and/or change? Which ones would you discontinue?
Mayor Nirenberg has led San Antonio through a transformative era, and I intend to continue several key initiatives he launched — while also evolving them to meet our city’s future needs.
One such program is Ready to Work, a groundbreaking workforce development initiative. I support the goals of Ready to Work and, under Plan210, I propose to expand job training opportunities to better align with emerging trends in our economy such as cybersecurity, bioscience, air and space, and advanced manufacturing. Plan210 also calls for deeper partnerships with colleges, vocational schools, and even high schools to integrate workforce readiness earlier and more effectively.
I am also supportive of Phase II of the Housing Bond that is called for in the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP) to continue working towards an increase in affordable housing in San Antonio.
4. What are your priorities for the city’s 2027 bond, which will be determined in 2026 by the new mayor and city council members?
We need to invest in the basics — lighting, sidewalks, drainage — especially in areas that have seen generational disinvestment. I also support Phase II of the Housing Bond called for in the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP).
I’ll also prioritize project management and delivery by calling for a ‘Construction Czar’ that would report directly to the city manager and be outside of the traditional Public
Works leadership whose focus would be to help coordinate bond projects with key stakeholders and keep them on time and on budget.
As temperatures continue rising, we also have to consider heat mitigation and air quality. This means planting more trees, building shaded bus stops, and using cooling materials in hot zones. I also want the bond to support expanded mobility options — safer bike lanes, better pedestrian infrastructure, and more complete streets.
I also want to prioritize any investment or expansions/upkeep of our city parks facilities, to make sure to keep San Antonio beautiful and that all residents have access to green spaces and areas for recreation and health.
Lastly, I want to prioritize addressing the digital divide in San Antonio by aiming to reduce the number of residents without access to high-speed internet by 1% each of the next 10 years.
5. Do you support the city’s proposed public-private investments in Project Marvel, or do you oppose them? If you support Project Marvel, what do you think is a fair private/public split on building a new Spurs arena in Hemisfair?
I am supportive of the Project Marvel concept. However when it comes specifically to the new Spurs arena, I have many outstanding questions about the cost, funding sources, the plan for the Eastside, how nearby neighborhoods will benefit (or not benefit) from the new development, and what type of public participation is planned to gauge what residents want.
My understanding is that potential funding sources for the new arena include a Project Finance Zone (PFZ), Tax Increment Refinance Zone (TIRZ), Spurs, Venue tax, and other private sources. That said, if there are no general funds used, and voters approve any future bond dollars, then I would be supportive of the Spurs arena as a part of Project Marvel.
6. What are your economic development and job growth strategies? Since the pandemic, more than 150 corporations have moved their headquarters to Texas, yet San Antonio has not shared significantly in convincing those companies to come here. How can we change that?
As a Mayor, my economic development strategy would focus on fostering job growth through targeted workforce development and creating a more competitive environment for businesses to thrive in San Antonio. We need to take a proactive approach by attracting high-growth industries such as cybersecurity, bioscience, air and space, and advanced manufacturing. I will build on the strong partnerships that already exist with local educational institutions to provide reskilling and upskilling programs with SA Ready to Work.
To attract more corporate headquarters to San Antonio, we must improve our outreach and marketing efforts through collaboration with organizations like Greater:SATX. We also need to enhance our infrastructure, expand innovation districts, and make San Antonio a more attractive destination for companies by offering competitive incentives and reducing barriers for new businesses. It is crucial that we create a city where businesses want to set up shop, and where the workforce is equipped to meet their needs. With these strategies, we can position San Antonio as a prime location for business growth and job creation.
7. San Antonians worry that as the city grows, it could lose its unique cultural identity, much as Austin has changed due to rising housing and living costs. What will you do to grow the city’s job base while making sure what makes San Antonio special is not lost?
San Antonio’s strength lies in its people, neighborhoods, and deep cultural roots. I’m committed to growing our economy in a way that protects what makes San Antonio special — by centering equity, inclusive development, and neighborhood-driven planning.
I’ll also empower working families through quality job training. Plan 210 prioritizes expanding SA Ready to Work and reskilling and upskilling for jobs of the future. This ensures San Antonians — especially those in underserved communities — can thrive in emerging fields like bioscience, green energy, and cybersecurity.
Champion regional collaboration that reflects San Antonio’s values: Through the South Texas Triangle Economic Alliance and the ASTRA Corridor with Austin, we will grow jobs and investment — but always with a focus on dignity, equity, and shared prosperity..
8. San Antonio has faced record heat, extreme drought conditions, and episodes like Winter Storm Uri, yet city leaders have largely failed to implement the 2019 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan. Federal and state political leaders largely ignore climate change and are rapidly defunding renewable energy projects while subsidizing the oil and gas industry. What is your position on this critical issue?
San Antonio can no longer afford to delay action on climate change. Under Plan210, we offer a bold and actionable path forward that strengthens climate resilience, accelerates carbon reduction, and prepares our city for future environmental challenges. This includes conducting a comprehensive review of the 2019 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP) to set specific, measurable emissions reduction targets in sectors like buildings, transportation, and waste; investments in green infrastructure by expanding urban parks, green roofs, and tree planting efforts to cool neighborhoods, reduce pollution, and enhance quality of life; improving climate resilience through flood mitigation systems, home weatherization programs, and infrastructure upgrades — particularly in vulnerable communities. We’ll also train San Antonians for green jobs through partnerships like SA Ready to Work, linking climate action to economic opportunity; support EV infrastructure and strengthen air quality regulations and monitoring systems to better control industrial and vehicular emissions, and ensure compliance with federal clean air standards by 2027.
9. San Antonio is experiencing worsening traffic congestion and air quality, with rising cases of asthma and other respiratory ailments. How do you plan to improve mobility in the city while balancing affordability and sustainability? What role should alternative transportation options play?
Mobility is a central pillar of Plan210, which outlines a forward-thinking approach to creating a more connected, sustainable, and healthier San Antonio. As our city grows, we must address rising transportation demands while reducing our carbon footprint and expanding access to opportunities.
Plan210 prioritizes several key mobility initiatives. First, we aim to establish a network of Mobility Hubs—neighborhood-based centers that connect residents to VIA bus stops, bike racks, EV charging stations, car-share, rideshare, and micromobility options. These hubs will be strategically located near transit stations, commercial districts, and underserved neighborhoods to increase access and reduce congestion.
We will also work closely with VIA to expand and enhance public transit by increasing route coverage and frequency, particularly in suburban and underserved areas. Upgrading transit facilities will improve accessibility, comfort, and the overall rider experience.
Having served on the Activate SA board, Plan210 also supports building active transportation infrastructure, including connected bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, and safety features that encourage walking and biking as reliable modes of daily transport. We are committed to investing in Vision Zero by increasing funding for pedestrian and cyclist safety initiatives, such as infrastructure upgrades, traffic calming, and community partnerships that promote safer streets.
Through zoning reforms and partnerships with developers, we will expand Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) by encouraging high-density, mixed-use developments near transit corridors. This approach will reduce car dependency and foster more livable, walkable communities. Finally, transportation improvements will be designed to ensure inclusive access for all residents, including those with disabilities, allowing them to move safely and affordably through the city.
10. Describe one new idea you have for accelerating the city’s trajectory as a destination for visitors, conventions, and people moving here for opportunities.
I think Project Marvel and the new San Antonio Missions stadium have the potential to accelerate the city’s trajectory, but only if done in an intentional way that includes a robust public participation process that prioritizes transparency and affordability. It’s been said many times before that a strong downtown means a strong San Antonio, but I would update that by saying a strong downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods means a strong San Antonio.
