Construction Exec Enters San Antonio Mayoral Race

A real estate veteran has entered San Antonio’s mayoral race as candidates vie to succeed Ron Nirenberg, who is term-limited.

Robert Melvin, the founder and CEO of construction firm Limitless Creations, declared his intention to run for the office that Nirenberg has held since June 2017, the San Antonio Business Journal reported.

Melvin is winding down his business interests to focus fully on the mayoral campaign, which will prioritize economic development, workforce development and education.

In addition to real estate, Melvin has ample experience in the political realm. From 2007 to 2010, he worked in Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s office, advocating for small businesses both domestically and internationally. He also managed the Genuine Texas Initiative, a program aimed at expanding the market reach of Texas-made products.

Before his tenure as a state official, Melvin worked in the Office of Economic Development for New Haven, Connecticut, and as a law clerk for the Department of Justice during President Bill Clinton’s administration.

Melvin founded Limitless Creations in 2015 with a vision to “revolutionize” commercial and residential development. More recently, he led San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside, an economic development group supporting small businesses in historically underserved areas of the city.

Melvin has faced some challenges along the way, including a 2022 bankruptcy filing by a subsidiary business, which has since been settled.

“I emerged from that scenario wiser and humbled in the best way possible, and inspired,” he told the outlet.

Other mayoral candidates include city council members Manny Pelaez and John Courage. The election will take place next May.

—Quinn Donoghue