San Antonio city council votes to censure Councilman Mario Bravo
San Antonio City Council has publicly disapproved of Councilman Mario Bravo’s outburst against Councilwoman Ana Sandoval. The council approved a resolution giving a vote of no confidence on Thursday, November 10, and censuring Bravo despite calls from his supporters, including his mom and dad, to vote against the motion.
Censuring Bravo essentially states the city council’s disapproval of his behavior in September, but does not remove him from his seat or duties as a councilman. The motion was approved unanimously by the council members that were present. Council members Clayton Perry and Ana Sandoval were absent, while Bravo recused himself from voting.
Public comments at Thursday’s meeting were filled with supporters calling Bravo a “compassionate” person while lauding his work. On Tuesday, November 8, the Monte Vista Historical Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to oppose censuring Bravo and a vote of no confidence feeling that barring him from committees the past two months prevented him from representing his constituents properly.
“The investigation was kept in dark witnesses unknown accused parties not allowed to speak,” said Catherine Bravo, the councilman’s mother. “The clearest rules seem to be public shaming. That does not seem an effective way to move forward.”
Bravo’s father, Armando Gutierrez Bravo, implied that the councilman had a “bad day,” saying that people can get emotional when “you fight for what you truly believe in.”
No one spoke on in support of Sandoval.
The vote of no confidence and censuring come after an independent investigator determined that Bravo violated anti-harassment and violence in the workplace city policies.
Bravo berated Sandoval when he approached her about her decision to not support his proposal for extra CPS Energy funds. Bravo proposed using $75 million in excess CPS Energy revenue to weatherize homes instead of disbursing a $30 credit to individual customers.
Bravo reportedly told Sandoval that her inaction was the reason he ended his past relationship with her. He also said it was why he didn’t want to have children with her. He accused her of selling out to the mayor’s agenda and threatened to text business leaders with that claim. Bravo went on to make pointed comments during the city council meeting that led to City Attorney Andy Segovia chiding him on the dais.
Bravo released a statement Thursday afternoon saying that he “became emotionally overwhelmed” and betrayed his own values, standing by the public apology he days after reports of his outburst surfaced.
“I fully intend to uphold my duty to serve the citizens of District 1 and I look forward to continuing to work with my council colleagues,” Bravo said in the statement.
