Austin City Council | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Mayor | |
Mayor Pro Tempore | Vanessa Fuentes (D) since 2025[1] |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 11 |
 | |
Political groups | Officiallynonpartisan Majority |
| Elections | |
| Two-round system | |
Last election | December 14th, 2024 |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Austin City Hall | |
| Website | |
| Council Meeting Information | |
TheAustin City Council is theunicameral legislature of the city ofAustin, 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 isKirk Watson. The duty of the council is to decide the city budget, taxes, and various other ordinances.[2] While the council is officiallynonpartisan,[3] all current council members are affiliated with theDemocratic Party. District 7 council member Mike Siegel is associated with theDemocratic Socialists of America.
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 in advance of the 2014 elections, following a 2012 ballot initiative.[2]
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] At the start of each term, Council elects a Mayor Pro Tempore from its members, usually serving 1-2 years. While largely a symbolic title, the Mayor Pro Tempore is in charge of running meetings upon the absence of the mayor.[5] The current Mayor Pro Tempore is Vanessa Fuentes, elected on January 6, 2025.
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 and 2024.[2] The council is officiallynonpartisan; however, all current council members and the mayor are affiliated with theDemocratic Party. District 7 council member Mike Siegel is associated with theDemocratic Socialists of America.
| District | Name | Party (officially nonpartisan) | Term start | Location[6] | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Kirk Watson | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | Citywide | [7][2] |
| 1 | Natasha Harper-Madison | Democratic | January 7, 2019 | East Austin (North), Harris Branch, MLK | [8][7] |
| 2 | Vanessa Fuentes | Democratic | January 6, 2021 | Southeast Austin, Airport, South End of Congress | [9] |
| 3 | José Velásquez | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | East Austin (South),Montopolis, St. Edwards/Elmo | [10][7] |
| 4 | Jose "Chito" Vela | Democratic | February 4, 2022 | North Central Austin, Highland, Rundberg | [11][7] |
| 5 | Ryan Alter | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | South Lamar, Menchaca,Westgate | [12][7] |
| 6 | Krista Laine | Democratic | January 6, 2025 | Northwest Austin, Lakeline, Lake Travis | [13][7] |
| 7 | Mike Siegel | Democratic Socialists of America | January 6, 2025 | North Austin, Burnet Road,The Domain | [14][7] |
| 8 | Paige Ellis | Democratic | January 7, 2019 | Southwest Austin,Oak Hill,Circle C | [15][7] |
| 9 | Zohaib "Zo" Qadri | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | Downtown, Central Austin,South Congress | [16][7] |
| 10 | Marc Duchen | Democratic | January 6, 2025 | West Austin,Tarrytown,Northwest Hills | [17][7] |
| Party (officially nonpartisan) | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 10 | 1 | 1 |  | |
| Democratic Socialists of America | 1 | 1 | 0 |  1 | |
| Republican | 0 | 0 | 1 |  1 | |
| 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 election | Jeffrey Bowen | 27,055 | 8.11 | ||
| Democratic | Doug Greco | 15,768 | 4.73 | ||
| Total votes | 333,470 | 100.00 | |||
| Democratichold | |||||
| 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 | |||
| Democratichold | |||||
| 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 | |||
| Democratichold | |||||
| 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 | |||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Socialists of America | Mike Siegel | 13,681 | 39.83 | |
| Democratic | Gary Bledsoe | 6,624 | 19.28 | |
| Democratic | 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 Socialists of America | Mike Siegel | 4,402 | 51.20 | |
| Democratic | Gary Bledsoe | 4,196 | 48.80 | |
| Total votes | 8,598 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic Socialists of Americagain fromDemocratic | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Marc Duchen | 20,810 | 50.59 | |
| Democratic | Ashika Ganguly | 20,321 | 49.41 | |
| Total votes | 41,131 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party (officially nonpartisan) | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Republican | 1 | 0 | 0 | | |
| Democratic Socialists of America | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 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 election | Phil Campero Brual | 7,340 | 2.39 | |
| Nonpartisan election | Anthony Bradshaw | 7,137 | 2.33 | |
| Nonpartisan election | 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | José "Chito" Vela | 2,141 | 59.24 | |
| Democratic | Monica Guzmán | 497 | 13.75 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jade Lovera | 402 | 11.23 | |
| Republican | Amanda Rios | 349 | 9.65 | |
| Democratic | Melinda Schiera | 175 | 4.84 | |
| Nonpartisan election | Isa Boonto-Zarifis | 33 | 0.91 | |
| Nonpartisan election | Ramesses II Setepenre | 17 | 0.47 | |
| Total votes | 3,614 | 100.00 | ||
| Democraticgain fromDemocratic Socialists of America | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
TheCity of Austin was officially incorporated by the Fourth Congress of theRepublic of Texas on December 27, 1839. The city was established at the confluence of theColorado River andShoal Creek, which was then the site of a small community known asWaterloo. The city was founded to act as the capital of the Republic of Texas and was named in honor ofStephen F. Austin, the so-calledFounder of Texas.[22] 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.[23] Austin had its first mayoral election on January 13, 1840, in which citizens electedEdwin Waller to be the city's first mayor.[24]
Austin's 1st City Council district | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Government | |
| • Councilmember | Natasha Harper-Madison |
| Population (2020)[25] | |
• Total | 93,992 |
| Demographics | |
| • Hispanic | 39.42% |
| • White | 29.47% |
| • Black | 19.86% |
| • Asian | 7.41% |
The Austin City Council 1st district covers eastAustin. The current councillor is Natasha Harper-Madison who has represented the district since 2019.[26] She is a member of theDemocratic Party.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 1 | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2019 | Ora Houston | Democratic |
| January 2019 | Incumbent | Natasha Harper-Madison | Democratic |
The Austin City Council 2nd district covers southeastAustin, includingDove Springs,Bluff Springs, and theAustin Bergstrom International Airport.
The current councillor is Vanessa Fuentes, who has represented the district since 2021.[27] She is a member of theDemocratic Party.
On January 6, 2025, she was elected by council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for the duration of 2025.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 2 | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2021 | Delia Garza | Democratic |
| January 2021 | Incumbent | Vanessa Fuentes | Democratic |
The Austin City Council '3rd district covers east and southAustin.
The current councillor is Jose Velasquez, who has represented the district since 2023.[28] He is a member of theDemocratic Party.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 3 | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2023 | Pio Renteria | Democratic |
| January 2023 | Incumbent | Jose Velasquez | Democratic |
The Austin City Council 4th district covers northAustin.
In November 2021, Councillor Greg Casar resigned his seat to run for Congress. District 4 was vacant until a January 25, 2022 special election was held to fill the vacancy.
The current councillor is Jose "Chito" Vela, who has represented the district since February 2022.[29] He is a member of theDemocratic Party.
On January 6, 2025, he was elected by council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for the duration of 2026.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 4 | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | November 2021 | Greg Casar | Democratic Socialists of AmericaLeft in 2022 |
| February 2022 | Incumbent | Jose "Chito" Vela | Democratic |
The Austin City Council 5th district covers south Austin.
The current councillor is Ryan Alter, who has represented the district since 2023.[30] He is a member of theDemocratic Party.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 5 | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2023 | Ann Kitchen | Democratic |
| January 2023 | Incumbent | Ryan Alter | Democratic |
The Austin City Council 6th district covers northwest Austin including portions of the city withinWilliamson County.
The current councillor is Krista Laine, who has represented the district since January 6, 2025. She is a member of theDemocratic Party.
| Assumed office | Left office | 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 | Incumbent | Krista Laine | Democratic |
The Austin City Council 7th district covers north Austin includingCrestview,Allendale, andShoal Creek.
The current councillor is Mike Siegel, who has represented the district since January 6, 2025.[31] He is a member of theDemocratic Party, as well as theDemocratic Socialists of America.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 7 | Partisan Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2025 | Leslie Pool[32] | Democratic |
| January 2025 | Incumbent | Mike Siegel | Democratic Socialists of America |
The Austin City Council 8th district covers southwestAustin, includingZilker Park,Barton Creek, andOak Hill.
The current councillor is Paige Ellis, who has represented the district since 2019.[33] She wasre-elected in 2022 with over 60% of the vote. She is a member of theDemocratic Party.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 8 | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2019 | Ellen Troxclair[34] | Republican |
| January 2019 | Incumbent | Paige Ellis[35] | Democratic |
The Austin City Council 9th district covers central Austin, includingDowntown,The University of Texas,Travis Heights,Hyde Park, andMueller.
The current councillor is Zohaib "Zo" Qadri, who has represented the district since 2023.[36] He is a member of theDemocratic Party.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 9 | Party affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2023 | Kathie Tovo[37] | Democratic |
| January 2023 | Incumbent | Zohaib "Zo" Qadri | Democratic |
The Austin City Council 10th district covers west Austin, includingTarrytown,Bryker Woods,Northwest Hills, and River Place.
The current councillor is Marc Duchen, who has represented the district since January 6, 2025. He is a member of theDemocratic Party.
| Assumed office | Left office | District 9 | Partisan Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2015 | January 2017 | Sheri Gallo | Republican |
| January 2017 | January 2025 | Alison Alter | Democratic |
| January 2025 | Incumbent | Marc Duchen | Democratic |