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Uvalde school shooting victim’s mom running for mayor

Special election will be held Nov. 7

UVALDE, Texas – Days after the Uvalde City Council voted in favor of a special election for the mayoral seat, Kimberly Rubio is throwing her hat in the race.

Rubio lost her daughter, Alexandria “Lexi” Rubio, in the Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24, 2022.

Since then, Rubio has turned into a gun violence prevention advocate and started a nonprofit called “Lives Robbed,” which is pushing for changes to gun legislation.

Rubio tweeted a photo of the Uvalde Leader News article about her announcement. She’s worked at the local paper since she was a teen in a variety of different roles.

In the tweet, Rubio wrote about her grief in mourning Lexi but vowed, “I will honor your life with action. This is only the beginning.”

Current Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin announced he is running for the District 80 Texas House of Representatives seat.

State Rep. Tracy King shared his plans to retire and will not be seeking re-election.

McLaughlin has served as Uvalde’s mayor since 2014 and recently won re-election for a four-year term in 2020. According to his website bio, “McLaughlin is a strong conservative Republican.”

Rubio, a mom of five, is getting support from parents of other Robb victims online with Gloria Cazares, mom to Jackie, writing on TikTok, “I am so proud to call you my best friend.”

Veronica Mata, mom of Tess, shared the post on Facebook writing “We are so proud of you” and Berlinda Arreola, step grandma of Amerie Jo, wrote “Let’s Vote her in!!”

Following the election on Nov. 7, the new mayor will take office on the 24th day after the general election. The mayor’s term lasts four years.


About the Author
Leigh Waldman headshot

Leigh Waldman is an investigative reporter at KSAT 12. She joined the station in 2021. Leigh comes to San Antonio from the Midwest after spending time at a station in Omaha, NE. After two winters there, she knew it was time to come home to Texas. When Leigh is not at work, she enjoys eating, playing with her dogs and spending time with family.

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