San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones speaks during a City Council meeting. Credit: Screenshot / San Antonio Government Channel
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ latest communications director, Carlos de Leon, has resigned after less than 72 hours on the job.
On Tuesday, Jones announced via a statement that her office had hired two San Antonio natives to bolster its staff. Those included de Leon, who spent the past 15 years working in public affairs, communications and economic development positions across South Texas.
“Carlos’ keen perspective and experience in public affairs and economic development will ensure our constituents stay informed about our progress,” Jones said at the time.
However, on Friday, Jones’ office confirmed that both de Leon and Anna San Miguel, hired in August as Jones’ special assistant, had resigned.
“We do not comment on personnel matters,” a spokesperson from Mayor Jones’ office said of the departures.
In a statement, de Leon said his decision to step away from the role allows him to “better align with my passion and experience.”
“The mayor’s success is incredibly important to San Antonio’s future, and I wish Mayor Jones and her office the best,” he added.
San Miguel didn’t immediately respond to the Current’s request for comment.
A source familiar with the departure, who wished to remain anonymous due over concerns about keeping their job, said the mayor ousted de Leon Thursday because he was not a “good fit.”
De Leon’s departure isn’t the first time a communications director made a speedy exit from Jones’ office. Former communications director Gary Cooper was reassigned to a different city office after less than a week on the job.
Prior to being elected San Antonio mayor, Jones served as the Biden White House’s Under Secretary of the Air Force. She also ran two unsuccessful campaigns to represent Texas’s 23rd congressional district as a Democrat.
Indeed, five of Jones’ staffers have quit or been let go since she took office in June. Those also included former Chief of Staff Jordan Abelson, who left after less than a month, and former Events Coordinator Rory Vance.
Four of the five staffers who headed for the exits are San Antonio natives. Abelson, the one exception, is originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
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