Ron Nirenberg

Ron Nirenberg
Name	Ron Nirenberg
Caption	Nirenberg in 2022
Office	Mayor of San Antonio
Term start	June 21, 2017
Predecessor	Ivy Taylor
Birth date	December 15, 1977
Birth place	Quezon City, Philippines
Party	Independent
Spouse	Erika Prosper
Alma mater	Trinity University, University of Pennsylvania
Occupation	Politician, radio executive

Ron Nirenberg is an American politician serving as the mayor of San Antonio, Texas, first elected in 2017. An independent, he has focused his administration on issues such as economic equity, public transportation expansion, and climate resilience. Prior to his mayoral service, he was a member of the San Antonio City Council representing District 8 and worked in media for KRTU.

Early life and education

Ron Nirenberg was born on December 15, 1977, in Quezon City, Philippines, to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. His family moved to the United States when he was an infant, settling in San Antonio. He attended Health Careers High School before pursuing higher education at Trinity University in San Antonio, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication studies. He later obtained a Master of Arts in Communication from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania.

Political career

Nirenberg's political career began with his election to the San Antonio City Council in 2013, where he represented the city's north-central District 8. During his tenure on the council, he served as chairman of the Transportation Committee and was a member of the Economic and Community Development Committee. He gained attention for his advocacy on transit-oriented development and was a vocal proponent of the 2017 municipal bond program. His council service positioned him for a successful mayoral campaign against incumbent Ivy Taylor.

Mayor of San Antonio

Nirenberg was first elected Mayor of San Antonio in a June 2017 runoff election, defeating Ivy Taylor. He was re-elected in 2019 and again in 2021, becoming the city's first independent mayor to win three consecutive terms. His tenure has been marked by a collaborative approach with the San Antonio City Council and a focus on long-term strategic planning. Key moments include his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, his work on the SA Ready to Work workforce development program, and his role in securing city funding for Pre-K 4 SA.

Policy positions and initiatives

A central policy pillar has been advancing public transportation, notably through the advocacy and successful voter approval of the Advanced Transportation District and the Keep SA Moving plan, which aims to expand VIA Metropolitan Transit services. He has been a leading voice on climate change mitigation, overseeing the development of the San Antonio Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Other major initiatives include the Equity Atlas tool to guide equitable investment, support for the San Antonio River Improvements Project, and persistent advocacy for affordable housing policies. He has also served in leadership roles with the National League of Cities and the United States Conference of Mayors.

Electoral history

In the 2017 San Antonio mayoral election, Nirenberg forced incumbent Ivy Taylor into a runoff, which he won with approximately 54% of the vote. He won his first re-election in the 2019 San Antonio mayoral election against Greg Brockhouse, securing about 51% of the vote in a closely contested race. His third electoral victory came in the 2021 San Antonio mayoral election, where he defeated Greg Brockhouse again with a more decisive majority, garnering nearly 62% of the vote.

Personal life

Nirenberg is married to Erika Prosper, a former Kens5 news anchor and senior director of Customer Insights at H-E-B. They have one son and reside in the Monte Vista Historic District. He is an avid fan of the San Antonio Spurs and the UTSA Roadrunners. Prior to entering politics, he served as the general manager and program director for the jazz radio station KRTU at Trinity University.

Category:Mayors of San Antonio, Texas Category:Trinity University (Texas) alumni Category:University of Pennsylvania alumni