Teacher Defeats Incumbent, Makes History in District 2 Runoff

June 6, 2021 - Eastside

By Ricardo Delgado, Staff Writer | San Antonio Sentinel

Showered in embraces and pictures Jalen McKee-Rodriguez celebrated a decisive District 2 victory over incumbent councilwoman and former boss Jada Andrews-Sullivan, making him the first openly gay Black man elected in Texas history. 

The 26-year-old James Madison High School math teacher, who formerly worked under Andrews-Sullivan as her communications director, started with a commanding 62.45% of the vote and ended the night with 63.11%, completely eclipsing Andrews-Sullivan's 36.89%, mirroring the results of the general election preceding the runoff.

McKee-Rodriguez lead Andrews-Sullivan by just under 10 points in the general election, giving him and his team confidence in a positive result during the June 5 runoff, he said in a written statement to the San Antonio Sentinel.

“We’ve been working hard since November, and our lead in the general election was a huge indicator that if we persisted we would win before the end of the early vote!” McKee-Rodriguez said. “We took no votes for granted and this month has been a chase to get all of our supporters back to the polls.”

Early voting results set the tone for both watch parties, the jubilant vibe of the winner’s event at Tucker’s Kozy Korner starkly contrasting the incumbent’s congregation at Smoke BBQ+SKYBAR, a more sedate affair.

When speaking to the media at his event, McKee-Rodriguez expressed gratitude for the voters who gave him his historic victory.

“I think we expected every step of the way we were going to be the underdog,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “We were going to come in and we were going to be the 26-year-old teacher battling [a] crowded field, and then we were going to be the high school math teacher battling the system [...] The people spoke - people over profits.”

Andrews-Sullivan has yet to formally concede the election, however, she did give a statement to the San Antonio Sentinel during her watch party over the early polling numbers. 

“We are blessed,” Andrews-Sullivan said. “We are so blessed. We did what we came to do. We work for our district. We brought in history-making opportunities for District 2. And now, whatever District 2 holds within the hands of who they voted for, that's what they'll get.”

As detailed in the San Antonio Express-News, the relationship between the two candidates appears strained after McKee-Rodriguez resigned from his role as Andrews-Sullivan communications director in 2019 after alleging homophobic harassment from Andrews-Sullivan’s chief-of-staff, Lou Miller.

McKee-Rodriguez called the timing of his victory — a few days into Pride month — a “fitting time” and “absolutely symbolic” for not just the LGBTQ+ community but for the average resident of District 2. 

“[We haven't had working-class, regular people representing us,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “We haven't had people making the median income, representing us. We've had lawyers, we've had business folk, we've had investors, we've had people in the pockets of developers, and I think the fact that we were able to overcome all of that means that District 2 was fed up, and they were ready for regular working-class leadership.”

McKee-Rodriguez emphasized he would not be beholden to the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), an organization aiming to organize and increase the representation of Black and Latino communities in Texas. His victory, along with the assumed victory of Terri Castillo in District 5, marks a progressive shift in the city council.

“People are asking for more money for home repairs for seniors,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “They're asking for increased drainage streets and sidewalks. We want our fair share and getting that means acknowledging that for so long, we haven't gotten our fair share, and I think that's what people view as radical, but that's what the people are demanding. [T]hat's what the people want. So that's why [I’m going to] give them.”

McKee-Rodriguez hopes the voters of District 2 will hold him accountable to a higher standard, especially with what he referred to as an “abundance of talent [and leadership]” in the district.

“We're never going to settle for lackluster leadership if it means we're keeping an empty vessel in a seat,” McKee-Rodriguez said.

Asked if she had any hopes for her former communications director in office, Andrews-Sullivan seemingly made light of McKee-Rodriguez’s resignation in the face of discrimination. 

“Well, I hope that he doesn't vacate the seat as quickly as he vacated our campaigns, [so] we'll see what that holds for District 2,” Andrews-Sullivan said.

McKee-Rodriguez looks forward to tackling issues from his platform in his first day in office, like negotiating a “fair and just police union contract” and looking at proposed budgets. He also clarified he would be stepping back from his teaching duties to fulfill his duty to the city.

When asked if he had any words for his defeated opponent in light of their history together and whether he thinks Andrews-Sullivan grew complacent, the apparent future voice of District 2 kept his answer succinct. 

“I'll stick to the future,” McKee-Rodriguez said. “I hope that this was a learning opportunity, not just for her but for her staff, and for anybody looking to run for office in the future. I see this as an opportunity to grow, and I hope that she takes that.”

Andrews-Sullivan’s response, when told about McKee-Rodriguez’s comments, was even more succinct. 

“Well, God bless District 2,” Andrews-Sullivan said.

Ricardo Delgado transferred to Texas State University at San Marcos to study journalism and minor in political science. He graduated during the spring of 2021. Email him at reporter@sasentinel.com