San Antonio Express-News Editorial: San Antonio City Councilman Mario Bravo should resign

An independent investigation has begun into District 1 City Councilman Mario Bravo’s verbal outburst against his former romantic partner, District 7 City Councilwoman Ana Sandoval. This investigation may take six weeks and will offer guidance into what additional action, if any, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and City Council may take in response to this nadir at City Hall. But we have seen enough. It would be best for Bravo to step down. We have concerns about the working environment for Sandoval and Bravo’s effectiveness in representing District 1 constituents. Bravo’s outburst has alienated him from other council members, and at least in the interim, he has been stripped of his committees.

We don’t call for this lightly. This Editorial Board last called on a City Council member to resign in 2013 after homophobic comments from then-District 9 City Councilwoman Elisa Chan were made public. We could not see how Chan could effectively represent people who are LGBTQ, and we also cited a higher bar for expectations for elected officials’ words and actions. This situation is unique because of the past romantic relationship between Sandoval and Bravo. Bravo raised the relationship in public in a particularly bitter and hostile manner. Wherever the investigation leads, whatever apologies follow, we don’t see how this dynamic can change. But what transpired was more than a policy disagreement. Right before the Sept. 15 session, Bravo approached Sandoval near the council dais, saying he wanted to talk with her about refusing to support his proposal. City Hall sources said Bravo told Sandoval her action on the CPS Energy surplus illustrated why they had split up and why he didn’t want to have children with her. He accused Sandoval of selling out to the mayor and brought her to tears. Later, during the public council meeting , Bravo berated Sandoval and Nirenberg for criticizing his plan. At one point, City Attorney Andy Segovia reminded Bravo about decorum. “Councilman, the point of decorum I am trying to make is that your comments should be directed at the policy of the staff, not to other council members. That’s a rule that this council has adopted.” “I am not addressing her directly,” Bravo said. “You have been, the whole discussion,” Segovia said.