Kimberly Mata-Rubio, Gun Control Advocate and Mother of Uvalde Shooting Victim, Loses Mayoral Bid to Cody Smith

Former mayor Cody Smith returns as lead in South Texas city's first mayoral race after the Robb Elementary School shooting, defeating Mata-Rubio, an advocate for stricter gun laws and transparency from law enforcement agencies for their handling of the shooting.

Kimberly Mata-Rubio, mother of Lexi Rubio, one of the victims of the Uvalde mass shooting, lost her mayoral race in the South Texas city against former mayor Cody Smith.
The mayoral race marked the first since the Robb Elementary School shooting, which became a central issue, with Mata-Rubio strongly advocating for stricter gun laws and transparency from law enforcement agencies over their delayed response.
Smith, a former two-term mayor and a local bank executive, focused on bringing the community together and plans to create a memorial for the 21 shooting victims by consulting with their families, city leaders, and school officials.
Mata-Rubio has been actively advocating for gun law reform and has even testified before Congress for stricter measures. After her loss, she hinted at continuing her fight for change in future political races.
The campaigns highlighted the division in Uvalde between residents wanting to move past the tragedy and those still demanding answers and accountability. The police's slow response to the Robb Elementary School shooting remains under criminal investigation.