The window for candidates to file for city elections across the state officially began July 18. In San Marcos, two elected officials aim to shift their placement on the City Council, running for positions they don’t currently hold.
The gist
San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson and Place 6 council member Amanda Rodriguez have both filed to be placed on the Nov. 3 ballot for different positions than they currently hold.
Hughson will be a candidate for the Place 3 council member position, currently held by Alyssa Garza, and Rodriguez will be a candidate for mayor.
In addition to the long hours associated with the mayoral position, including attending events and serving on various regional boards, Hughson cited another candidate as a reason for her decision not to run for mayor.
“For more than one election, I've said that if someone I believed could do the job well decided to run for mayor, I would gladly step aside and stay home,” Hughson said. “This year, someone I have known and respected for years stepped forward.”
Hughson said that Ryan Thomason's filing for mayor influenced her decision not to seek the seat, and she chose to assist his campaign instead. She was unaware of any other potential candidates for the position as Thomason filed on the first day of the filing period.
As of Aug. 4, Thomason and Rodriguez are the only candidates for San Marcos mayor. Rodriguez announced her intention to run for mayor in a July 27 social media post.
“As your Mayor, I offer a new vision for our city,” Rodriguez said in the post. “I’m not running as part of one team or another, I’m not running on someone else’s achievements, I’m running on my record and my record of service alone.”
Rodriguez was elected to the City Council in 2024. Her term as the Place 6 council member ends in 2027. Her decision to run for mayor triggered a special election to fill the vacant seat until the term ends.
“I know so many of us are tired of feeling like the fight against special interests is rigged and wondering whether the voices of everyday people are even being heard,” Rodriguez said in the post. “That’s why I’m running.”
Also of note
Hughson will be running against incumbent Alyssa Garza this November for the Place 3 council member seat. As of Aug. 4, they are the only two candidates for the position.
“In four of my previous nine elections, I challenged an incumbent,” Hughson said. “Each time, it wasn't because I believed they were bad people. It was because I believed I could do a better job. I felt I had more time to devote, more energy to give and more experience to offer. I believe I can once again bring the time, energy, experience and commitment needed to serve the citizens of San Marcos well."
In addition to the race for mayor and Place 3 council member, San Marcos residents will vote for the Place 4 council member in the Nov. 3 election. Incumbent Shane Scott and candidate Heather Hunter are set to be on the ballot as of Aug. 4. Candidates that are set to be on the ballot for the Place 6 council special election as of Aug. 4 include Bill Miller, Juan Miguel Arredondo and Lisa Prewitt.
