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Austin City Council
Type
Type
Leadership
Mayor
Kirk Watson (D)
since 2022
Mayor Pro Tempore
Leslie Pool (D)
since 2024[1]
Structure
Seats10-1
Political groups
officially nonpartisan

Majority

  •   Travis County Democratic Party (10)

Minority

Elections
Two-round system
Last election
December 14th, 2024
Meeting place
Austin City Hall
Website
Council Meeting Information

The Austin City Council is the unicameral legislature of the city of Austin, Texas, United States of America. The mayor is included as a member of the council and presides over all council meetings and ceremonies. The current mayor of Austin is Kirk Watson. The duty of the council is to decide the city budget, taxes, and various other ordinances.[2] While the council is officially nonpartisan,[3] all but one current council member are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Before 2012, the council was composed of six at-large elected members and the mayor, and members could only serve three terms (nine years) on the council. However, in 2012 the citizens of Austin approved two propositions that established ten single-member districts within the city and assigned council and mayoral seats staggered four-year terms, with members limited to two terms. However, the mayor remains as the 11th member on the council, an arrangement known as 10-1. The new setup was first implemented after the 2014 elections.[2]

Duties

The duty of the Austin City Council is to oversee and decide on the city budget, local taxes, amendment of laws, and creation of ordinances and policies. The council members meet every Thursday.[2] There are several boards and commissions that are composed of non-elected appointed citizens to give advice and recommendations to council members. These board generally review, debate, and comment on recommendations for the council.[4][2]

Members

Members of the council are elected to 4 years terms and can serve a maximum of 2 terms. The current council was elected in 2022.[2] The council is officially nonpartisan; however, all but one current council members and the mayor are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

District Name Party (officially nonpartisan) Term start Location[5] References
Mayor Kirk Watson Democratic January 6, 2023 Citywide [6][2]
1 Natasha Harper-Madison Democratic January 7, 2019 East Austin (North), Harris Branch, MLK [7][6]
2 Vanessa Fuentes Democratic January 6, 2021 Southeast Austin, Airport, South End of Congress [8]
3 José Velásquez Democratic January 6, 2023 East Austin (South), Montopolis, St. Edwards/Elmo [9][6]
4 Jose "Chito" Vela Democratic February 4, 2022 North Central Austin, Highland, Rundberg [10][6]
5 Ryan Alter Democratic January 6, 2023 South Lamar, Menchaca, Westgate [11][6]
6 Mackenzie Kelly Republican January 6, 2021 Northwest Austin, Lakeline, Lake Travis [12][6]
7 Leslie Pool Democratic January 6, 2015 North Austin, Burnet Road, The Domain [13][6]
8 Paige Ellis Democratic January 7, 2019 Southwest Austin, Oak Hill, Circle C [14][6]
9 Zohaib "Zo" Qadri Democratic January 6, 2023 Downtown, Central Austin, South Congress [15][6]
10 Alison Alter Democratic January 6, 2017 West Austin, Tarrytown, Northwest Hills [16][6]

Notable past members

  • Greg Casar (D), U.S. Representative (2023-present)
  • Sheryl Cole (D), State Representative (2019-present)
  • Delia Garza (D), Travis County Attorney (2021-present)
  • Jimmy Flannigan (D), Austin councilmember (2017-2021), first openly gay male city council member in Austin history
  • Ann Kitchen (D), State Representative (2001-2003)
  • Brigid Shea (D), Travis County Commissioner (2017-present)
  • Ellen Troxclair (R), State Representative (2023-present)

Election results

2024

Austin City Council 2024 election summary
Party (officially nonpartisan) Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss
  Democratic 10 1 1 Steady
  Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) 1 1 0 Increase 1
  Republican 0 0 1 Decrease 1
City of Austin, Mayor
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kirk Watson 166,890 50.05 −0.35
Democratic Carmen Llanes Pulido 68,042 20.40
Democratic Kathie Tovo 55,715 16.71
Nonpartisan Jeffrey Bowen 27,055 8.11
Democratic Doug Greco 15,768 4.73
Total votes 333,470 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 2
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Vanessa Fuentes 22,591 85.67 +29.61
Republican Robert Reynolds 3,780 14.33
Total votes 26,371 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 4
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic José "Chito" Vela 11,034 58.52 −0.68
Democratic Monica Guzmán 5,223 27.70 +13.95
Republican Louis Herrin 1,149 6.09
Republican Jim Rabuck 819 4.34
Democratic Eduardo "Lalito" Romero 630 3.34
Total votes 18,855 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 6
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Krista Laine 6,230 51.60
Republican Mackenzie Kelly 5,843 48.40 −5.89
Total votes 12,073 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican
City of Austin, District 7
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) Mike Siegel 13,681 39.83
Democratic Gary Bledsoe 6,624 19.28
Republican Pierre Huy Nguyễn 5,110 14.88
Democratic Adam Powell 3,828 11.14
Democratic Todd Shaw 2,973 8.65
Democratic Edwin Bautista 2,135 6.22
Total votes 34,351 100.00
Runoff election
Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) Mike Siegel 4,402 51.20
Democratic Gary Bledsoe 4,196 48.80
Total votes 8,598 100.00
Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) gain from Democratic
City of Austin, District 10
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marc Duchen 20,810 50.59
Democratic Ashika Ganguly 20,321 49.41
Total votes 41,131 100.00
Democratic hold

2022

Austin City Council 2024 election summary
Party (officially nonpartisan) Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss
  Democratic 10 0 0 Steady
  Republican 1 0 0 Steady


City of Austin, Mayor
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Celia Israel 122,377 40.01
Democratic Kirk Watson 106,883 34.94
Republican Jennifer Virden 56,313 16.71
Nonpartisan Phil Campero Brual 7,340 2.39
Nonpartisan Anthony Bradshaw 7,137 2.33
Nonpartisan Gary Spellman 5,815 1.90
Total votes 305,865 100.00
Runoff election
Democratic Kirk Watson 57,565 50.41
Democratic Celia Israel 56,623 49.58
Total votes 114,188 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 4 special election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic José "Chito" Vela 2,141 59.24
Democratic Monica Guzmán 497 13.75
Green Jade Lovera 402 11.23
Republican Amanda Rios 349 9.65
Democratic Melinda Schiera 175 4.84
Nonpartisan Isa Boonto-Zarifis 33 0.91
Nonpartisan Ramesses II Setepenre 17 0.47
Total votes 3,614 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 3
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic José Velásquez 7,674 36.39
Democratic Daniela Silva 7,260 34.43
Democratic José Noé Elias 2,318 10.99
Republican Yvonne Weldon 1,947 9.23
Democratic Gavino Fernandez Jr. 1,078 5.11
Republican Esala Wueschner 806 3.82
Total votes 21,083 100.00
Runoff election
Democratic José Velásquez 4,181 53.39
Democratic Daniela Silva 3,649 46.60
Total votes 7,830 100.00
Democratic hold

History

The city of Austin was officially incorporated by the Fourth Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 27, 1839. The city was established at the confluence of the Colorado River and Shoal Creek, which was then the site of a small community known as Waterloo. The city was founded to act as the capital of the Republic of Texas and was named in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the so-called Founder of Texas.[17] The governmental structure established by the original Austin charter called for "one mayor, and eight Aldermen", with the mayor being elected city-wide, and each Alderman representing one of the city's eight wards.[18] Austin had its first mayoral election on January 13, 1840, in which citizens elected Edwin Waller to be the city's first mayor.[19]

Districts

District 1

The Austin City Council 1st district covers east Austin.

The current councillor is Natasha Harper-Madison who has represented the district since 2019.[20]

List of city councillors from District 1

Years of service District 1 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2019 Ora Houston Democratic
January 2019 - Natasha Harper-Madison Democratic

District 2

The Austin City Council 2nd district covers southeast Austin, including Dove Springs, Bluff Springs, and the Austin Bergstrom International Airport.

The current councillor is Vanessa Fuentes, who has represented the district since 2021.[21] She won re-election in the November 5th, 2024 general election with 85.66% of the vote.

List of city councillors from District 2

Years of service District 2 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2021 Delia Garza Democratic
January 2021 - Vanessa Fuentes Democratic

District 3

The Austin City Council '3rd district covers east and south Austin.

The current councillor is Jose Velasquez, who has represented the district since 2023.[22]

List of city councillors from District 3

Years of service District 3 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2023 Pio Renteria Democratic
January 2023 - Jose Velasquez Democratic

District 4

The Austin City Council 4th district covers north Austin.

The current councillor is Jose "Chito" Vela, who has represented the district since 2022.[23]

List of city councillors from District 4

Years of service District 4 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - November 2021 Greg Casar Democratic
November 2021 - February 2022 Vacant Vacant
February 2022 - Jose "Chito" Vela Democratic

District 5

The Austin City Council 5th district covers south Austin.

The current councillor is Ryan Alter, who has represented the district since 2023.[24]

List of city councillors from District 5

Years of service District 5 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2023 Ann Kitchen Democratic
January 2023 - Ryan Alter Democratic

District 6

The Austin City Council 6th district covers northwest Austin including portions of the city within Williamson County.

The current councillor is Mackenzie Kelly, who has represented the district since 2021.[25] On November 5th, 2024 general election, she lost re-election to Krista Laine.[26]

List of city councillors from District 6

Years of service District 6 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2017 Don Zimmerman Republican
January 2017 - January 2021 Jimmy Flannigan Democratic
January 2021 - January 2025 Mackenzie Kelly Republican
January 2025 - Krista Laine Democratic

District 7

The Austin City Council 7th district covers north Austin including Crestview, Allendale, and Shoal Creek.

The current councillor is Leslie Pool, who has represented the district since 2015.[27] Since 2024, she has also served as Mayor Pro Tempore. On December 14th, 2024, Mike Siegel defeated Gary Bledsoe in the runoff election to serve as the new councilor from District 7.[28]

List of city councillors from District 7

Years of service District 7 Partisan Affiliation
January 2015 – January 2025 Leslie Pool[29] Democratic
January 2025 - Mike Siegel Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America)

District 8

The Austin City Council 8th district covers southwest Austin, including Zilker Park, Barton Creek, and Oak Hill.

The current councillor is Paige Ellis, who has represented the district since 2019.[30] She was re-elected in 2022 with over 60% of the vote..

List of city councillors from District 8

Years of service District 8 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2019 Ellen Troxclair[31] Republican
January 2019- Paige Ellis[32] Democratic

District 9

The Austin City Council 9th district covers central Austin, including Downtown, The University of Texas, Travis Heights, Hyde Park, and Mueller.

The current councillor is Zohaib "Zo" Qadri, who has represented the district since 2023.[33]

List of city councillors from District 9

Years of service District 9 Party Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2023 Kathie Tovo[34] Democratic
January 2023- Zohaib "Zo" Qadri Democratic

District 10

The Austin City Council 10th district covers west Austin, including Tarrytown, Bryker Woods, Northwest Hills, and River Place.

The incumbent councillor is Alison Alter, who has represented the district since 2017.[35] She did not run for re-election in 2024. In the November 5th, 2024 general election, Marc Duchen defeated Ashika Ganguly to become the councillor-elect from District 10.

List of city councillors from District 10

Years of service District 9 Partisan Affiliation
January 2015 - January 2017[36] Sheri Gallo Independent
January 2017 - January 2025 Alison Alter Democratic
January 2025 - Marc Duchen Democratic


References

  1. ^ "Leslie Pool launches into the final year of a busy decade". Austin Monitor. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Austin, Texas". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Austin City Council signals progressive unity with Ruth Bader Ginsburg accessories". KXAN.com. December 18, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. ^ "Boards and Commissions | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin". www.austintexas.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  5. ^ "Geocortex Viewer for HTML5".
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Terms of Office | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin". www.austintexas.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  7. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Natasha Harper-Madison". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  8. ^ "About | VANESSA FUENTES FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL". Vanessa for Austin. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  9. ^ "District 3 Council Member | Statesman Votetracker". City of Austin. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  10. ^ "Jose Vela". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  11. ^ Smith, Amy. "District 5 Council Member". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  12. ^ "Mackenzie Kelly". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  13. ^ "Leslie Pool". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  14. ^ "Paige Ellis represents sharp political shift for Southwest Austin's District 8". Austin Monitor. December 28, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  15. ^ "About Council Member Zohaib Zo Qadri". City of Austin. May 30, 2011. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  16. ^ "Alison Alter". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  17. ^ "When was Austin founded?". The Austin Public Library. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  18. ^ "City of Austin Resource Guide" (PDF). Austin Public Library. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  19. ^ "Edwin Waller". Texas State Cemetery. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  20. ^ "Natasha Harper-Madison". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  21. ^ "Vanessa Fuentes". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  22. ^ "Jose Velasquez". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  23. ^ "Jose Vela". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  24. ^ "Ryan Alter". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  25. ^ "Mackenzie Kelly". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  26. ^ "Austin City Council races: Kelly unseated in D6, while Fuentes and Vela are reelected". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  27. ^ "Leslie Pool". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  28. ^ "Travis County runoff election: Mike Siegel wins Austin City Council D7, AISD board seat, Manor mayor decided". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. December 14, 2024. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  29. ^ "Leslie Pool". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  30. ^ "Paige Ellis". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "Ellen Troxclair". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  32. ^ "Paige Ellis". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  33. ^ "Zohaib Qadri". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  34. ^ "Kathryne Beth Tovo". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  35. ^ "Alison Alter". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  36. ^ "History of Mayors | AustinTexas.gov". www.austintexas.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
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