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Casey Walker

Background: Austin native and 2000 UT grad, married with a young child. He works in sales for Teleclip, a local news monitoring company (which he notes is a “woman-owned” business). He’s also involved in the local film community via the Austin Film society, has written screenplays.

Campaign Funds: $1,455 in contributions, returned $500 from toll road interests

Endorsements: People for Efficient Transportation PAC (Austin Toll Party)

On the Issues: Says his focus is “Keeping Austin … Affordable … Local … Educated, and …Toll Road Free”; wants to reduce the level of corporate tax incentives; expand homeowner property tax exemptions; supports single-member council districts; opposes smoking ordinance.

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Scott Williams

Background: Currently a probate court clerk; has served in the Air Force (analyst and programmer) and worked in the hotel industry. Born and raised in Arlington, Virginia – says his experience of D.C. and federal government gave him both a taste for public service and a suspicion of professional politicians – and came to Austin eight years ago. He’s currently a computer science student at Park University. A motorcycle enthusiast, he’s a member of Bikers Against Child Abuse and has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity as well as SXSW.

Campaign Funds: Has not filed a campaign finance report

Endorsements: None

On the Issues: Williams’ campaign theme is “Putting service back in public service,” and says if elected he’ll take a close look at the city budget and make sure it’s lean and efficient while restoring social services. He opposes converting existing highways to toll roads, and opposes the proposed smoking ban as an infringement on “private business rights.”

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James Paine

Background: House painter and local musician who lives in central Austin, and moved here several years ago after visiting the city on a KGSR “Bring a Friend to Austin” contest.

Campaign Funds: $500 in contributions, $1,000 in personal expenditures on campaign

Endorsements: None

On the Issues: Paine says he decided to run initially because of national politicians’ “disregard for the lives of normal people,” and says he wants to represent “working-class people” on the council. He says property taxes are too high, and wants more action on affordable housing and protecting the environment.

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Lee Leffingwell

Background: Native Austinite and retired airline pilot, who studied engineer at UT (BS, 1961) and served as a Navy pilot in Vietnam. He is married to Mary Lou McClain, president of Family Eldercare. Served five years on the city’s Environmental Board (four as chair), stepping down last October to run for council.

Campaign Funds: $22,950 in contributions, $25,000 self-loan

Endorsements: More than two dozen organizations, including the police, firefighters, and EMS unions, small-business organizations, environmental orgs, and virtually all the local Democratic clubs, as well as the Chronicle and the Statesman

On the Issues: Has emphasized economic development, a better transportation network (especially mass transit), restoring health and human services funding, and protecting the environment as “mission critical.” Opposes the CAMPO toll road plan; on the smoking ordinance says he will abide by the voters’ wishes, but prefers the current “compromise” ordinance.

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Andrew Bucknall

Background: Owns a small cleaning business, is a single father, and a political science student at Huston-Tillotson (graduates May 7). Native Austinite who’s lived on both the West and Eastsides, and has worked as a counselor of abused children. He’s served on city affordable housing committees, and as president of the Huston-Tillotson Young Democrats.

Campaign Funds: $2,000 in contributions

Endorsements: Huston-Tillotson Young Democrats

On the Issues: Emphasizes his progressive, grassroots politics (was local organizer for Howard Dean campaign), and reducing tension between city government (especially police) and minority communities, and a stronger focus on affordable housing programs. Opposes conversion of existing highways to toll roads, and is “conflicted” on smoking ordinance – considers the ban a good idea but opposes the 15-foot rule for outside smoking.

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Steve Adams (certified write-in)

Background: Native Austinite (fourth generation), a general contractor with an ACC business management degree, and 12 years in the Army/Army Reserves/National Guard (through 2002). He hosts a weekly ACTV talk-show. Also worked as an accounting supervisor for UPS, and has run for office before as a Libertarian (as in this race).

Campaign Funds: Did not file a campaign finance report

Endorsements: None

On the Issues: Says Austin has lost its direction, and that high taxes are driving young families out of the city. The city needs to cut taxes, end all corporate incentive programs, oppose the toll roads, and reject the Envision Central Texas notion of regional planning. Opposes the proposed smoking ordinance as an intrusion on the rights of private business owners.