Celina Montoya

Texas State House District 121

2020 Race Update: Celina lost 46.55% to 53.45%

Celina Montoya is a life-long San Antonian who graduated from Alamo Heights High School. She went on to study at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where she earned her B.S. in Journalism from the Medill School of Journalism and was a fellow with the Innocence Project.

She is a former host and reporter for Texas Public Radio and founder of the nonprofit, Literacy San Antonio. She established the city-wide SAReads Programs which promotes grade-level literacy through access to books, quality instruction and teacher training, and data-driven practices. While there, she organized legislative action and advocacy pertaining to public education.

She has worked as Director of Government and Community relations for Alamo Fireworks, where she helped to establish state-wide industry safety standards and policy.

She recently ran for the Texas House of Representative in District 121, following the retirement of former Speaker of the House, Joe Straus. The 2018 election results were so close, her team took a presumed Republican District to within 8 points of flipping. Now, running for the House Seat in 2020, the District is one of only 9 state house targets to turn Texas Blue.

Celina’s life is full of public service, giving back to her community as long-time volunteer and recent President of The Junior League of San Antonio, a member of various boards including the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, The Landa Gardens Conservancy, Chair of the Women & Girls Development Fund, and Leader for her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. She is a long-time supporter and former steering committee member for Annie’s List, Planned Parenthood South Texas, as well as a member of various Democratic Clubs.

When not volunteering or campaigning, Celina and her husband, Luke, enjoy family time with their two children and their extended family, many of whom live in San Antonio.