119. The Mayor’s Race: Rolando Pablos on Economic Competitiveness, Poverty, and Cross-Border Partnerships for San Antonio

We conclude our April series of conversations with San Antonio’s leading mayoral candidates as Bob sits down with Rolando Pablos—a businessman, attorney, and former republican Texas Secretary of State—to discuss his campaign, priorities, and vision for the city. Pablos shares his personal and professional background, shaped by his experience as an immigrant and his decades of public and private sector leadership. The conversation examines key issues facing San Antonio, including the city’s persistent poverty rates, workforce development, economic competitiveness, and the challenges of attracting new businesses. Pablos addresses concerns about partisanship, his approach to relationships with state and federal officials, and his proposals for increasing transparency and accountability at City Hall. This episode explores: Pablos’s views on San Antonio’s economic development and what’s needed to attract companies and jobs The city’s historical and systemic poverty, and the role of education and workforce training in addressing it Relationships with Mexico, free trade, and why maintaining strong binational partnerships is key for San Antonio’s future How Pablos would approach issues such as Project Marvel, affordable housing development, and infrastructure challenges The future of local government and the role of nonpartisanship and outside money in city elections It’s a substantive look at where San Antonio stands, what’s at stake in the mayoral race, and how leadership could shape the city’s next chapter. -- --  RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN: 🎧 Explore Our Mayoral Coverage – As the 2025 race for San Antonio’s next mayor heats up, don’t miss our full series of interviews with the candidates. Hear directly from those vying to lead the city on the issues that matter most—from housing and economic development to infrastructure and public safety. 🔗 Listen to all episodes here -- --  CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram 🔗 Join us on LinkedIn 🎥 Subscribe on YouTube SPONSORS 🙌 Support the show & see our sponsors THANK YOU ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts ⭐ Rate us on Spotify