Austin City Council

Last updated

Austin City Council
Type
Type
Leadership
Mayor
Kirk Watson (D)
since 2022
Mayor Pro Tempore
Vanessa Fuentes (D)
since 2025 [1]
Structure
Seats11-0
United States Austin, Texas City Council 2025.svg
Political groups
officially nonpartisan

Majority

  •   Democratic Party (11)
Elections
Two-round system
Last election
December 14th, 2024
Meeting place
AustinTXCityHall.JPG
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 current council members are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Contents

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] 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 6th, 2025.

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 current council members and the mayor are affiliated with the Democratic Party.

DistrictNameParty (officially nonpartisan)Term startLocation [6] References
Mayor Kirk Watson Democratic January 6, 2023Citywide [7] [2]
1Natasha Harper-Madison Democratic January 7, 2019East Austin (North), Harris Branch, MLK [8] [7]
2Vanessa Fuentes Democratic January 6, 2021Southeast Austin, Airport, South End of Congress [9]
3José Velásquez Democratic January 6, 2023East Austin (South), Montopolis, St. Edwards/Elmo [10] [7]
4Jose "Chito" Vela Democratic February 4, 2022North Central Austin, Highland, Rundberg [11] [7]
5Ryan Alter Democratic January 6, 2023 South Lamar, Menchaca, Westgate [12] [7]
6Krista Laine Democratic January 6, 2025Northwest Austin, Lakeline, Lake Travis [13] [7]
7Mike Siegel Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America [ under discussion ])January 6, 2025North Austin, Burnet Road, The Domain [14] [7]
8Paige Ellis Democratic January 7, 2019Southwest Austin, Oak Hill, Circle C [15] [7]
9Zohaib "Zo" Qadri Democratic January 6, 2023 Downtown, Central Austin, South Congress [16] [7]
10Marc Duchen Democratic January 6, 2025West Austin, Tarrytown, Northwest Hills [17] [7]

Notable past members

Election results

2024

Austin City Council 2024 election summary
Party (officially nonpartisan)SeatsGainsLossesNet gain/loss
  Democratic 1011Steady2.svg
  Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America)110Increase2.svg 1
  Republican 001Decrease2.svg 1
City of Austin, Mayor
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Kirk Watson 166,890 50.05 −0.35
Democratic Carmen Llanes Pulido68,04220.40
Democratic Kathie Tovo55,71516.71
NonpartisanJeffrey Bowen27,0558.11
Democratic Doug Greco15,7684.73
Total votes333,470 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 2
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Vanessa Fuentes 22,591 85.67 +29.61
Republican Robert Reynolds3,78014.33
Total votes26,371 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 4
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic José "Chito" Vela 11,034 58.52 −0.68
Democratic Monica Guzmán5,22327.70+13.95
Republican Louis Herrin1,1496.09
Republican Jim Rabuck8194.34
Democratic Eduardo "Lalito" Romero6303.34
Total votes18,855 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 6
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Krista Laine 6,230 51.60
Republican Mackenzie Kelly5,84348.40−5.89
Total votes12,073 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican
City of Austin, District 7
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America)Mike Siegel13,68139.83
Democratic Gary Bledsoe 6,624 19.28
Republican Pierre Huy Nguyễn5,11014.88
Democratic Adam Powell3,82811.14
Democratic Todd Shaw2,9738.65
Democratic Edwin Bautista2,1356.22
Total votes34,351 100.00
Runoff election
Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America)Mike Siegel4,40251.20
Democratic Gary Bledsoe4,19648.80
Total votes8,598 100.00
Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) gain from Democratic
City of Austin, District 10
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Marc Duchen 20,810 50.59
Democratic Ashika Ganguly20,32149.41
Total votes41,131 100.00
Democratic hold

2022

Austin City Council 2022 election summary
Party (officially nonpartisan)SeatsGainsLossesNet gain/loss
  Democratic 1010Increase2.svg 1
  Republican 100Steady2.svg
  Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America)001Decrease2.svg 1


City of Austin, Mayor
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Celia Israel 122,377 40.01
Democratic Kirk Watson 106,883 34.94
Republican Jennifer Virden56,31316.71
NonpartisanPhil Campero Brual7,3402.39
NonpartisanAnthony Bradshaw7,1372.33
NonpartisanGary Spellman5,8151.90
Total votes305,865 100.00
Runoff election
Democratic Kirk Watson 57,565 50.41
Democratic Celia Israel 56,62349.58
Total votes114,188 100.00
Democratic hold
City of Austin, District 4 special election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic José "Chito" Vela 2,141 59.24
Democratic Monica Guzmán49713.75
Green Jade Lovera40211.23
Republican Amanda Rios3499.65
Democratic Melinda Schiera1754.84
NonpartisanIsa Boonto-Zarifis330.91
NonpartisanRamesses II Setepenre170.47
Total votes3,614 100.00
Democratic gain from Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America)
City of Austin, District 3
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic José Velásquez 7,674 36.39
Democratic Daniela Silva 7,260 34.43
Democratic José Noé Elias2,31810.99
Republican Yvonne Weldon1,9479.23
Democratic Gavino Fernandez Jr.1,0785.11
Republican Esala Wueschner8063.82
Total votes21,083 100.00
Runoff election
Democratic José Velásquez 4,181 53.39
Democratic Daniela Silva3,64946.60
Total votes7,830 100.00
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. [20] 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. [21] Austin had its first mayoral election on January 13, 1840, in which citizens elected Edwin Waller to be the city's first mayor. [22]

Districts

District 1

Austin's 1st City Council district
Austin City Council
Government
 • CouncilmemberNatasha Harper-Madison
Population
 (2020) [23]
 • Total
93,992
Demographics
 • Hispanic39.42%
 • White29.47%
 • Black19.86%
 • Asian7.41%

The Austin City Council 1st district covers east Austin. The current councillor is Natasha Harper-Madison who has represented the district since 2019. [24] She is a member of the Democratic Party.

List of city councillors from District 1

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 1Party Affiliation
January 2015January 2019Ora Houston Democratic
January 2019IncumbentNatasha 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. [25] She is a member of the Democratic Party.

On January 6th, 2025, she was elected by council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for the duration of 2025.

List of city councillors from District 2

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 2Party Affiliation
January 2015January 2021Delia Garza Democratic
January 2021IncumbentVanessa 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. [26] He is a member of the Democratic Party.

List of city councillors from District 3

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 3Party Affiliation
January 2015January 2023Pio Renteria Democratic
January 2023IncumbentJose Velasquez Democratic

District 4

The Austin City Council 4th district covers north Austin.

In November 2021, Councillor Greg Casar resigned his seat to run for Congress. District 4 was vacant until a January 25th, 2022 special election was held to fill the vacancy.

The current councillor is Jose "Chito" Vela, who has represented the district since February 2022. [27] He is a member of the Democratic Party.

On January 6th, 2025, he was elected by council to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for the duration of 2026.

List of city councillors from District 4

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 4Party Affiliation
January 2015November 2021 Greg Casar Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America Left in 2022)
February 2022IncumbentJose "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. [28] He is a member of the Democratic Party.

List of city councillors from District 5

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 5Party Affiliation
January 2015January 2023 Ann Kitchen Democratic
January 2023IncumbentRyan 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 Krista Laine, who has represented the district since January 6th, 2025. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

List of city councillors from District 6

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 6Party Affiliation
January 2015January 2017Don Zimmerman Republican
January 2017January 2021Jimmy Flannigan Democratic
January 2021January 2025Mackenzie Kelly Republican
January 2025IncumbentKrista Laine Democratic

District 7

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

The current councillor is Mike Siegel, who has represented the district since January 6th, 2025. [29] He is a member of the Democratic Party, as well as the Democratic Socialists of America.

List of city councillors from District 7

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 7Partisan Affiliation
January 2015January 2025Leslie Pool [30] Democratic
January 2025IncumbentMike 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. [31] She was re-elected in 2022 with over 60% of the vote. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

List of city councillors from District 8

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 8Party Affiliation
January 2015January 2019 Ellen Troxclair [32] Republican
January 2019IncumbentPaige Ellis [33] 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. [34] He is a member of the Democratic Party.

List of city councillors from District 9

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 9Party Affiliation
January 2015January 2023Kathie Tovo [35] Democratic
January 2023IncumbentZohaib "Zo" Qadri Democratic

District 10

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

The current councillor is Marc Duchen, who has represented the district since January 6th, 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

List of city councillors from District 10

Assumed OfficeLeft OfficeDistrict 9Partisan Affiliation
January 2015January 2017Sheri Gallo Independent
January 2017January 2025Alison Alter Democratic
January 2025IncumbentMarc Duchen Democratic


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References

  1. ↑ "Austin City Council members sworn in; Fuentes and Vela to serve as mayor pro tem". Community Impact. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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. ↑ Thompson, Ben (January 7, 2025). "Austin City Council members sworn in; Fuentes and Vela to serve as mayor pro tem". Community Impact. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Geocortex Viewer for HTML5".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Terms of Office | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin". www.austintexas.gov. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Natasha Harper-Madison". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  9. ↑ "About | VANESSA FUENTES FOR AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL". Vanessa for Austin. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ "District 3 Council Member | Statesman Votetracker". City of Austin. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Jose Vela". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  12. ↑ Smith, Amy. "District 5 Council Member". www.austinchronicle.com. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Krista Laine". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Mike Siegel". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Paige Ellis represents sharp political shift for Southwest Austin's District 8". Austin Monitor. December 28, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  16. ↑ "About Council Member Zohaib Zo Qadri". City of Austin. May 30, 2011. Archived from the original on February 17, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Alison Alter" . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Brigid Shea". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Austin Elects First Lesbian Council Member". www.advocate.com. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  20. ↑ "When was Austin founded?". The Austin Public Library. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  21. ↑ "City of Austin Resource Guide" (PDF). Austin Public Library. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  22. ↑ "Edwin Waller". Texas State Cemetery. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Austin City Council District Demographics". City of Austin. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  24. ↑ "Natasha Harper-Madison". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Vanessa Fuentes". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Jose Velasquez". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Jose Vela". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Ryan Alter". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Mike Siegel". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Leslie Pool". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Paige Ellis". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Ellen Troxclair". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Paige Ellis". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Zohaib Qadri". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Kathryne Beth Tovo". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
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