# Austin City Council

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. While the council is officially nonpartisan, all current council members 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.

## 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. 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. 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. 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 and 2024. The council is officially nonpartisan; however, all current council members and the mayor are affiliated with the Democratic Party.
| District | Name | Party (officially nonpartisan) | Term start | Location |
| Mayor | Kirk Watson | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | Citywide |
| 1 | Natasha Harper-Madison | Democratic | January 7, 2019 | East Austin (North), Harris Branch, MLK |
| 2 | Vanessa Fuentes | Democratic | January 6, 2021 | Southeast Austin, Airport, South End of Congress |
| 3 | José Velásquez | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | East Austin (South), Montopolis, St. Edwards/Elmo |
| 4 | Jose "Chito" Vela | Democratic | February 4, 2022 | North Central Austin, Highland, Rundberg |
| 5 | Ryan Alter | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | South Lamar, Menchaca, Westgate |
| 6 | Krista Laine | Democratic | January 6, 2025 | Northwest Austin, Lakeline, Lake Travis |
| 7 | Mike Siegel | Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) | January 6, 2025 | North Austin, Burnet Road, The Domain |
| 8 | Paige Ellis | Democratic | January 7, 2019 | Southwest Austin, Oak Hill, Circle C |
| 9 | Zohaib "Zo" Qadri | Democratic | January 6, 2023 | Downtown, Central Austin, South Congress |
| 10 | Marc Duchen | Democratic | January 6, 2025 | West Austin, Tarrytown, Northwest Hills |

### Notable past members

* Hub Bechtol (1959)
* Greg Casar (D), U.S. Representative from the 35th District (2023-present)
* Sheryl Cole (D), State Representative from the 46th District (2019-present)
* Lee Cooke (R), Mayor of Austin (1988-1991)
* Jimmy Flannigan (D), Austin council member (2017-2021), first openly gay male city council member in Austin history
* Gustavo L. "Gus" Garcia (D), Mayor of Austin (2001-2003)
* Delia Garza (D), Travis County Attorney (2021-present)
* Ann Kitchen (D), State Representative from the 48th District (2001-2003)
* Ron Mullen, Mayor of Austin (1983-1985)
* Brigid Shea (D), Travis County Commissioner (2017-present)
* Randi Shade (D), Austin council member (2008-2011), first openly gay city council member in Austin history
* Homer Thornberry (D), U.S. Representative from the 10th District (1949-1963)
* John Treviño Jr. (D), Austin council member (1975-1988), first Mexican-American city council member in Austin history
* Ellen Troxclair (R), State Representative from the 19th District (2023-present)

## Election results
### 2024

Austin City Council 2024 election summary :
| Party (officially nonpartisan) | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss |
| Democratic | 10 | 1 | 1 | |
| Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
City of Austin, Mayor :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 333,470 | 100.00 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
City of Austin, District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Vanessa Fuentes | 22,591 | 85.67 | +29.61 |
| | Republican | Robert Reynolds | 3,780 | 14.33 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,371 | 100.00 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
City of Austin, District 4 :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 18,855 | 100.00 | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
City of Austin, District 6 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Krista Laine | 6,230 | 51.60 |
| | Republican | Mackenzie Kelly | 5,843 | 48.40 | −5.89 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,073 | 100.00 | |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |
City of Austin, District 7 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 34,351 | 100.00 |
| Runoff election |||||
| | Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) | Mike Siegel | 4,402 | 51.20 |
| | Democratic | Gary Bledsoe | 4,196 | 48.80 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,598 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) gain from Democratic | Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) gain from Democratic | Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) gain from Democratic | Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) gain from Democratic |
City of Austin, District 10 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Marc Duchen | 20,810 | 50.59 |
| | Democratic | Ashika Ganguly | 20,321 | 49.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 41,131 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2022

Austin City Council 2022 election summary :
| Party (officially nonpartisan) | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss |
| Democratic | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
City of Austin, Mayor :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 305,865 | 100.00 |
| Runoff election |||||
| | Democratic | Kirk Watson | 57,565 | 50.41 |
| | Democratic | Celia Israel | 56,623 | 49.58 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 114,188 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
City of Austin, District 4 special election :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 3,614 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic gain from Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) | Democratic gain from Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) | Democratic gain from Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) | Democratic gain from Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America) |
City of Austin, District 3 :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 21,083 | 100.00 |
| Runoff election |||||
| | Democratic | José Velásquez | 4,181 | 53.39 |
| | Democratic | Daniela Silva | 3,649 | 46.60 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,830 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | 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. 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. Austin had its first mayoral election on January 13, 1840, in which citizens elected Edwin Waller to be the city's first mayor.

## 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. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

### List of city councillors from District 1

| Assumed Office | Left Office | District 1 | Party Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2019 | Ora Houston | Democratic |
| January 2019 | Incumbent | 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. 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 Office | Left Office | District 2 | Party Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2021 | Delia Garza | Democratic |
| January 2021 | Incumbent | 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. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

### List of city councillors from District 3

| Assumed Office | Left Office | District 3 | Party Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2023 | Pio Renteria | Democratic |
| January 2023 | Incumbent | Jose 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. 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 Office | Left Office | District 4 | Party Affiliation |
| January 2015 | November 2021 | Greg Casar | Democratic (Democratic Socialists of America$^{Leftin2022}$) |
| February 2022 | Incumbent | 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. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

### List of city councillors from District 5

| Assumed Office | Left Office | District 5 | Party Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2023 | Ann Kitchen | Democratic |
| January 2023 | Incumbent | 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 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 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 |

### 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. He is a member of the Democratic Party, as well as the Democratic Socialists of America.

### List of city councillors from District 7

| Assumed Office | Left Office | District 7 | Partisan Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2025 | Leslie Pool | Democratic |
| January 2025 | Incumbent | 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. 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 Office | Left Office | District 8 | Party Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2019 | Ellen Troxclair | Republican |
| January 2019 | Incumbent | Paige Ellis | 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. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

### List of city councillors from District 9

| Assumed Office | Left Office | District 9 | Party Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2023 | Kathie Tovo | Democratic |
| January 2023 | Incumbent | 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 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 Office | Left Office | District 9 | Partisan Affiliation |
| January 2015 | January 2017 | Sheri Gallo | Independent |
| January 2017 | January 2025 | Alison Alter | Democratic |
| January 2025 | Incumbent | Marc Duchen | Democratic |