This November may mean the end of the line for five district leaders who served on the first 10-1 City Council. Each of the five incumbents face at least one challenger for their seat at the dais, and there could be more by the time the filing deadline hits this Monday, Aug. 22. If you want to know more about the incumbents and their challengers, visit austinchronicle.com/elections. To find your City Council District, visit the 10-1 page “Lookup” Map at www.austintexas.gov/gis/councildistrictmap/.
District 2 (Southeast)
Zip Codes 78744, 78745, 78747, 78748, 78617, 78719The Incumbent: Delia Garza
Experience: Former Austin firefighter and assistant state’s attorney generalIssues: Proponent of gender equality and women’s health, increasing affordability, fair labor practices, eliminating food deserts, and advancing health & human services
Treasurer: Martha Cotera
Filed: 5/12/16
Facebook: www.fb.com/deliagarzadistrict2
Twitter: @DGarzaforD2
The Challengers: Casey Ramos
Occupation: Professional boxerIssues: Wants to strengthen infrastructure, increase affordability, create a sustainable city, and improve public education
Treasurer: Ricardo Ramos Jr.
Filed: 6/17/16
Facebook: www.fb.com/ramos4d2
Twitter: @Ramos4D2
Wesley Faulkner
Occupation: Social Media Manager at Namecheap, a domain name registrar and web-hosting companyIssues: Wants to increase affordable housing, improve transportation, foster tech innovation, and create economic equity
Treasurer: Brian Loh
Filed: 7/7/16
Website: www.austin4everyone.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/austin4everyone
Twitter: @Austin4Everyone
District 4 (North)
Zip Codes 78723, 78751, 78752, 78753, 78758The Incumbent: Greg Casar
Experience: Former policy director at Workers Defense ProjectIssues: Proponent of social equity, shared prosperity, increasing affordability, environmental stewardship, and public safety
Endorsed By: AURA, Austin Firefighters Assoc., Austin Young Democrats, Central Labor Council, AFSCME, Austin-Travis County EMS, IBEW Local 520, Education Austin, Workers Defense Action Fund, Laborers’ Union Local 753
Treasurer: Gustavo Garcia
Filed: 6/23/16
Website: www.casarforcouncil.com
Facebook: GregCasarCampaign
Twitter: @GregCasar
The Challenger: Louis C. Herrin III
Occupation: Civil engineer with the Texas Commission on Environmental QualityExperience: Professional engineer, more than 35 years at TCEQ. Expertise in wastewater treatment systems, uses of reclaimed water and graywater, use and disposal of wastewater biosolids; drinking water pipe criteria. Technical support for his division and in charge of homeland security for the division. Active in public schools, Boy Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Knights of Columbus
Issues: Wants to streamline city government, transportation, and city services, including but not limited to fire, police, water, and wastewater
Treasurer: Louis C. Herrin III
Filed: 6/30/16
Website: www.louisherrin.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/herrinforcitycouncil
District 6 (Northwest)
Zip Codes 78613, 78681, 78717, 78726, 78727, 78728, 78729, 78730, 78732, 78733, 78750The Incumbent: Don Zimmerman
Experience: President of the Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District #1 (Canyon Creek MUD), and founder of the Travis County Taxpayers UnionIssues: Proponent of fiscal conservatism and against raising property taxes
Endorsed By: Austin Firefighters Association
Treasurer: Timothy Kelly
Filed: 6/9/16
Facebook: www.fb.com/councilmandonzimmerman
Twitter: @DonZimmermanATX
The Challenger: James T. “Jimmy” Flannigan
Occupation: Small business owner and community organizerExperience: Ran for City Council in 2014. Former president of the Austin Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, member of the Austin Chamber’s Transportation Committee, and co-founder of the Northwest Austin Coalition
Issues: Proponent of improving roads and traffic, tax relief for homeowners, curbing rising rents, supporting middle-class jobs, and protecting the environment
Endorsed By: AFSCME, Austin Central Labor Council, LIUNA, Victory Fund, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, state Rep. Celia Israel, Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, Williamson County Democratic Party Chair John Bucy
Treasurer: Noel Landuyt
Filed: 5/3/16
Website: www.jimmyflannigan.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/flanniganforaustin
Twitter: @JimmyFlannigan
District 7 (North)
Zip Codes 78660, 78727, 78728, 78753, 78756, 78757, 78758, 78759The Incumbent: Leslie Pool
Experience: Bull Creek Road Coalition founderIssues: Wants to increase affordability and improve transportation
Endorsed By: Austin-Travis County EMS Association PAC, Austin Firefighters Association PAC, Austin Police Association PAC, Laborers International Union PAC Local 753, AFSCME PAC Local 1624, Austin Central Labor Council AFL-CIO PAC
Treasurer: Chad Williams
Filed: 7/10/14
Website: www.lesliepoolcampaign.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/lesliepoolcampaign
Twitter: @PoolforAustin
The Challenger: Natalie Gauldin
Occupation: Tech professional and former teacherExperience: Co-chair of Friends of the Grove, member of Friends of Austin Neighborhoods
Issues: Wants to increase affordability, improve transportation, diversify housing, and support community needs
Treasurer: Audrey Baxter
Filed: 6/21/16
Website: www.nataliegauldin.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/nataliegauldincampaign
Twitter: @NatalieforATX
District 10 (West)
Zip Codes 78703, 78730, 78731, 78746, 78750, 78756, 78759The Incumbent: Sheri Gallo
Issues: Proponent of lowering property taxes, reducing city spending, easing traffic gridlock and improving infrastructure, improving parks and libraries, and prioritizing spending on city services including but not limited to police, fire and wildlifeEndorsed By: Former Austin Mayors Bruce Todd, Lee Leffingwell, Ron Mullen, Lee Cooke, and Frank C. Cooksey; former Mayor Pro Tem Edgar Perry
Treasurer: Lewis N. Little
Filed: 3/14/14
Website: www.sherigallo.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/sherigalloaustincitycouncil
Twitter: @SheriGalloD10
The Challengers: Alison Alter
Occupation: Independent philanthropic adviserExperience: Former District 10 Representative for the Parks and Recreation Board (PARB); member of the Land, Facilities & Programs Committee; member of Land Use/Parkland Dedication working group; chair of We Love Ramsey Park renovation campaign; member of Rosedale Neighborhood Association Steering Committee
Issues: Wants to protect parkland and the environment, increase affordability, advocate for families and community needs, and improve zoning regulations
Treasurer: August “Happy” Harris
Filed: 7/12/16
Website: www.alisonalter.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/alisonalterforaustin
Twitter: @ALTERforATX
Nick Virden
Occupation: Market analyst at a real estate finance firmExperience: Former intern at the Texas State Capitol
Issues: Wants to increase affordability, lower property taxes, reduce zoning restrictions, improve public transportation, support ridesharing, foster tech innovation, and improve infrastructure
Treasurer: Nicholas A. Virden
Filed: 7/28/16
Website: www.virdenforaustin.com
Facebook: www.fb.com/virdenforaustin
Twitter: @VirdenForAustin
This article appears in August 19 • 2016.