The question going around town is when will the campaigning stop and the governing start?

In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete sits down with Trish DeBerry, CEO of CENTRO, and Kevin Wolff, partner at Spire Risk Management, both former Bexar County Precinct 3 commissioners. They break down what happened, do a deep dive into the high-stakes decision over Project Marvel and the proposed downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs—a decision that ultimately hinged on two critical council votes. Eddie, Trish, and Kevin unpack the political theater, the role of strong and weak mayoral forms of government, and how consensus-building has historically made or broken leaders in San Antonio.

The conversation covers the leadership style of newly-elected Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, contrasting her approach with past consensus builders like former Mayor Phil Hardberger. Trish and Kevin share firsthand experiences from their time on the commissioner's court and offer perspectives on the importance of relationships, respect, and the art of compromise in local government. They discuss recent events in detail: from the District 10 budget townhall meeting to the contentious press conference interruption, culminating in the high-profile council votes on the Spurs arena. As a result the mayor’s inability to build consensus, unexpected coalitions are forming across the political spectrum and pointed critiques of how a lack of diplomacy is shaping the current council climate.

Looking ahead, the guests examine the path forward for both the mayor and the city, touching on upcoming campaigns around the November venue tax vote and the next year’s city bond election. The episode wraps with reflections on the lessons learned, the pressing need for collaboration to support city infrastructure and iconic institutions like the Spurs, and a collective hope for more unity on the council. Throughout, Eddie, Trish, and Kevin emphasize that political success—and the city’s prosperity—rests on humility, open communication, and a willingness to both lead and listen.