What you need to know
Altamirano formally launched his campaign joined by a crowd of friends, loved ones and supporters on June 1 at The Friendly Spot bar in Southtown.
At age 34, Altamirano is the youngest contender in an expanding field of mayoral candidates who hope to succeed incumbent Ron Nirenberg, who is term-limited from seeking a fifth term as mayor in the city’s 2025 municipal elections.
Two north side, term-limited council members—Manny Pelaez of District 8 and John Courage of District 9—announced their plans to run for mayor next year.
But Altamirano, who has never run for public office, said he has the skills, experience and vision to become San Antonio’s next top elected leader.
He is the co-founder and chief executive officer of local technology company Irys, formerly Cityflag, which developed the city’s 311 app.
Altamirano has also helped to develop public policy in his past roles at the Texas House of Representatives, U.S Senate, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, and the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Additionally, Altamirano served on the Port San Antonio board.
Altamirano graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in government, and a master’s degree in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
The specifics
According to his campaign website, Altamirano will focus on public safety, infrastructure and economic development in his mayoral campaign.
Posting his campaign stances online, Altamirano said law enforcement plays a major role in improving safety around San Antonio, but more is needed than just quickly answering emergency calls.
He added the city should invest more into the city’s San Antonio Fear Free Environment program, and into hot-spot policing, where police resources are reassigned to areas of high concentration of criminal activity. Additionally, Altamirano said educational, job and expanded public transit opportunities play a part in preventing crime.
In terms of infrastructure, Altamirano voiced support for growing mass transportation initiatives, such as VIA’s Advanced Rapid Transit project, and for finding ways to reduce delays and upgrade communication when it comes to lengthy neighborhood road construction projects.
Altamirano also said he would push local officials to ensure the city-owned utilities, CPS Energy and San Antonio Water System, operate reliable and sustainable infrastructure.
Altamirano said his goals for furthering economic development include enhancing partnerships around South Texas and northern Mexico, adding that Mexican cities such as Nuevo Leon have emerged as key business hubs with growing regional commercial opportunities.
Altamirano also said he backs efforts to improve digital literacy and high-speed internet access in San Antonio, and to bolster workforce development.
What they're saying
Altamirano released a short video prior to his June 1 public campaign launch. A child of migrants and a native of Mission, Texas, Altamirano said in the video that San Antonio is a community rich with heritage, and one with more than 1 million people who aim to make the most of their opportunities.
"It's about all of us and, together, we can build the future of this great city—a future where every child has access to the care and education, a future where good paying jobs are close within reach, a future where every family feels safe and supported,” he said.
