Jane Garnette Hughson
TX · City of San Marcos Mayor
Jane Hughson has been Mayor of San Marcos since 2018 and served on the City Council in 1996-2002 and 2014-2018, after 33 years working at Texas State University. She says her long experience in city government will bring continuity and steady leadership as the city grows.
Where Jane Garnette Hughson stands, based on their records
Supports
Environment and Public Health (4 records), Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record), Housing Affordability (1 record)
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (1 record)
Mixed record
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties (2 support · 2 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 4 support
Voted on Feb. 17, 2026, to deny a land-use change for the proposed Mayberry data center on about 200 acres, after residents raised water and environmental worries. The denial passed 5-2.
February 17, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: haysfreepress.com
Signed a new disaster order in March 2020 limiting restaurants and bars to 10 people per room and closing bar areas until April 1 to slow COVID-19.
March 18, 2020Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: universitystar.com
Signed a mayor's order on March 16, 2020, banning public and private gatherings of 50 or more people in San Marcos through May 11 to slow COVID-19.
March 16, 2020Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: universitystar.com
Declared a local state of disaster for COVID-19 on March 15, 2020, which put the city emergency plan in effect and opened state and federal disaster funds.
March 15, 2020Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: universitystar.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 1 oppose
Voted on Sept. 19, 2023, for a $321 million city budget that raised the typical property tax bill about 15% and raised trash and utility fees. It passed 5-2.
September 19, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: communityimpact.com
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Voted in May 2023 for a new police union contract that doubled the time to investigate and discipline officers to 360 days and counts misconduct in promotions. It passed 6-1.
May 16, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: communityimpact.com
Track record — Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties · 2 support · 2 oppose
Voted on June 3, 2025, to reject adding 19 Flock license plate cameras for police, citing worries about how the data could be shared. The denial passed 5-2.
June 3, 2025Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: communityimpact.com
Voted in May 2023 for a new police union contract that doubled the time to investigate and discipline officers to 360 days and counts misconduct in promotions. It passed 6-1.
May 16, 2023Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: communityimpact.com
Voted on Feb. 7, 2023, against repealing the city's contract with the police officers' union after a citizen petition pushing for more police oversight. The repeal passed 4-3.
February 7, 2023Opposes Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: communityimpact.com
Voted against the city's cite-and-release ordinance on April 21, 2020. It passed 4-3 and told police to give tickets instead of arrests for some low-level crimes. She said she preferred a non-binding resolution and worried about theft and property crimes on the list.
April 21, 2020Opposes Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: universitystar.com
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
Voted on Jan. 5, 2021, for a zoning change to allow a manufactured home community on 73 acres off Harris Hill Road. It failed 3-4 after debate over affordable housing and tenant rights.
January 5, 2021Supports Housing Affordability
Source: communityimpact.com
Track record — General
General · 10 records
Voted on June 16, 2026, against banning data centers in every zoning area of San Marcos. The ban passed 4-3. She said she wanted the council to judge each data center case by case.
June 16, 2026
Source: universitystar.com
Proposed a rule on April 21, 2026, that data centers need a special permit approved by the city council itself. The council passed it 6-1.
April 21, 2026
Source: universitystar.com
Voted against a city resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza early on May 7, 2025, at the May 6 council meeting. It failed 5-2. She said the issue was not the business of city government.
May 7, 2025
Source: kut.org
Won re-election as mayor on Nov. 5, 2024, beating Juan Miguel Arredondo 14,172 to 9,858 (about 59%) in the official count.
November 5, 2024
Source: legistar2.granicus.com
Won re-election as mayor on Nov. 8, 2022, beating former Mayor John Thomaides 11,199 to 6,643 (about 63%) in the final official count.
November 8, 2022
Source: legistar2.granicus.com
Voted in July 2021 to delay a lobbyist registration and reporting law until after the November election; the delay passed 5-2. She called the law a sledgehammer and offered voluntary self-reporting by council members instead.
July 6, 2021
Source: communityimpact.com
Won re-election as mayor in a Dec. 8, 2020, runoff, beating Juan Miguel Arredondo 2,411 to 1,245 (about 66%).
December 8, 2020
Source: legistar2.granicus.com
Voted on March 19, 2019, to annex 734.6 acres and approve a business incentive deal for the SMART Terminal rail and industrial park. All three votes passed 6-1. She said the project brings jobs for residents.
March 19, 2019
Source: universitystar.com
Won the San Marcos mayor's race on Nov. 6, 2018, beating sitting Mayor John Thomaides 7,490 to 6,719 (about 53%) in the official count.
November 6, 2018
Source: legistar2.granicus.com
Voted on Aug. 2, 2016, as a council member to rezone 6.4 acres at Wonder World Drive and Hunter Road for a third H-E-B store. It passed 5-2; the two no votes cited flooding and traffic worries.
August 2, 2016
Source: communityimpact.com
Past race Jane Garnette Hughson ran in:
- San Marcos City Council Place 3 · November 3, 2026 · San Marcos city, Texas