2026 Texas General Election

There are two contested races for Balcones Heights City Council. Retired television director Jack Burton is running against incumbent Stephen Lara, an architect, for place 1 on the council. Retirees David Sellars and Gloria Cantu, the incumbent, will face off for place 2.

Races to watch in Bexar County's May 4 municipal election

Jack Burton is a retired television director.

Why the mayor of Balcones Heights is suing his own city

City Council Place 1

A 48-year Balcones Heights resident, Councilmember Jack Burton previously served on the planning and zoning commission, followed by a six-year stint as a council member. Voters returned Burton to the council in 2024.

9 competing in contested elections in Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Leon Valley

Jack Burton returned to the Balcones Heights City Council in 2024 after previously serving six years as a council member.

9 competing in contested elections in Balcones Heights, Castle Hills ...

Jack returned to the Balcones Heights City Council in 2024 after previously serving six years as a council member.

Item #19
MOTION: I move to make a Motion that we increase in rent for the Wonderland of the America Mall – Senator’s office A22 to $5,659.00 per month or $67,908.00 yearly with a $300.00 month increase and the Senator will assume the cost of the alarm service for $65.00 a month.
Motion by: Jack Burton Seconded by: Mark Saenz 5/0/0 PASSED

CC Minutes 2024-12-16 Regular Meeting (City of Balcones Heights)

As a city council member, moved to raise the rent for the Wonderland of the Americas Mall's office A22 to $5,659 monthly.

- As a city council member, moved to raise the rent for the Wonderland of the Americas Mall's office A22 to $5,659 monthly.

Economy

“We found a company that uses laser beams,” said Burton. “They travel up and down the corridor and scare the birds off.” The article reported that high-powered avian lasers had been used for weeks to move grackles from the Fredericksburg Road area.

San Antonio community uses laser beams to scare away nuisance birds

Said the city found a company using lasers that travel along a corridor to scare birds away.

- Said the city found a company using lasers that travel along a corridor to scare birds away.

Public Services

As of September 24, 2026, Jack Burton did not have a website or any information online.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Jack Burton

As of September 24, 2026, Jack Burton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jack was elected to the Balcones Heights City Council in 2024 after previously serving six years as a council member.

Jack currently serves as the Balcones Heights City Council member for Place 1. Voters returned him to the council in 2024.

Jack was re-elected to the Balcones Heights City Council in 2024. He previously served six years as a council member.

Jack was elected to the Balcones Heights City Council in 2024, after previously serving six years as a council member.

Jack currently serves as a Balcones Heights City Council member for Place 1. He previously served six years as a council member before being elected again in 2024.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

A 48-year Balcones Heights resident, Councilmember Jack Burton previously served on the planning and zoning commission, followed by a six-year stint as a council member. Voters returned Burton to the council in 2024.

Burton’s opponent, Vanessa Martin, is a digital creator and a wedding officiant. Martin is advocating for public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and providing a voice for all residents, as well as animal welfare.

Balcones Heights

Mayor Johnny Rodriguez is running unopposed. He is seeking a second straight term in his second stint as the town’s top elected leader. Place 1 incumbent Jack Burton is being challenged by Vanessa Martin, an ordained minister. Place 2 Councilmember David Sellars declined to seek a second straight term. He will be replaced by either Juan Lecea, a former council member, or Kip Torres, a current city planning and zoning commissioner.

See who is running for a council or school board seat on May 2

Vanessa is a digital creator, wedding officiant, and ordained minister.

Vanessa Martin is a digital creator, wedding officiant, and ordained minister.

Burton’s opponent, Vanessa Martin, is a digital creator and a wedding officiant. Martin is advocating for public safety, affordable housing, economic development, and providing a voice for all residents, as well as animal welfare.

As of September 24, 2026, Vanessa Martin did not have a website or any information online.

Vanessa Martin

As of September 24, 2026, Vanessa Martin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Facebook

Vanessa previously ran for Balcones Heights City Council, Place No. 1, in 2026 but did not win.

Vanessa works as a digital creator and wedding officiant.

Vanessa Martin works as a digital creator and wedding officiant and is an ordained minister.

Vanessa previously ran for City Council Member, Position 1 in Balcones Heights but did not win.

Vanessa Martin works as a digital creator and wedding officiant. She is an ordained minister.

Vanessa is a digital creator and wedding officiant. She is also an ordained minister.

- City council members collaborate to create and enforce city policies, including legislation on essential services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and utilities.
- They work alongside the mayor to manage city departments, including transportation and parks and recreation.
- Council members can be elected to represent specific districts or the entire city at-large.
- The structure of city councils, including the number of members, their terms, term limits, and partisanship, differs by county.

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Balcones Heights City Council Member, Position 1

Candidates (2)