SAN ANTONIO — John Courage is dropping his pursuit of the San Antonio mayor's office 11 months after announcing he was entering the race from the steps of City Hall.
In an email sent Monday afternoon to supporters, the four-term City Council member cited his age and a desire to spend more time with his recently retired wife, saying that "we have begun envisioning what this next phase holds for us and our family." He's the first to withdraw from what's become a crowded field.
"I felt personally ready, proud of the progress we've made during my tenure on the City Council, and deeply moved by the outpouring of encouragement from many of you who believed in my vision and leadership," Courage said about his decision to run. "However, as the past year has unfolded, I have come to recognize the profound truth that life is dynamic and circumstances evolve."
Courage, who has represented parts of the north side on City Council since 2017, noted he would be 78 years old by the time Mayor Ron Nirenberg's successor finished out his first term, which will be four years long instead of two after the passage of Proposition F last month.
"While I am fortunate to feel well today, I have encountered some health challenges that require greater attention to ensure my continued wellbeing," Courage said, without elaborating on what those health challenges entailed.
Courage officially joined the race on Jan. 25, 16 months before voters were to head to the ballot box to elect the next mayor. At the time he said he wanted to "achieve greater success in meeting the needs and expectations of all the residents of San Antonio" by increasing police presence in neighborhoods, modernizing city infrastructure, providing additional tax relief for families and expanding senior services, according to his campaign website.
A spate of other candidacy announcements have followed in the months since. Courage's fellow council members Adriana Rocha Garcia and Manny Pelaez are also running, as is former City Councilman Clayton Perry. Among the other candidates who have announced are tech entrepreneur Beto Altamirano and former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos. City Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda is also expected to announce her candidacy as we approach the start of the filing period in mid-January.
Courage's message to supporters indicates he won't be seeking another public office amid his decision to withdraw. The U.S. Air Force veteran has also served as an Alamo Community College District trustee and San Antonio Teachers' Council Board member, among other positions.
"Serving our community has been one of the greatest honors of my life," he wrote. "My years of service to District 9 and the City of San Antonio have brought me immense pride and fulfillment. I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me and for the support and appreciation I have received from our neighbors and friends. These experiences have reaffirmed my belief in the strength, resilience, and spirit of our city."
Voters will head to the polls on May 3, 2025, to elect the city's first new mayor since 2017, when Nirenberg defeated incumbent Ivy Taylor. Since the office is capped at eight years, Nirenberg isn't allowed to run again and will leave office next summer.
