Credit: Photo by John Anderson

Good news for Democrats in down-ballot races, as two conservative incumbents were voted out in Cedar Park during the May 6 local elections. In Place 3, Anne Duffy beat Lyle Grimes, while Heather Jefts took out Jon Lux in Place 5, both by 58% to 42% (returning Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Thomas was without a challenger). The council seats are nonpartisan, but both Duffy and Jefts received Travis County Democratic Party endorsements, and their victories may be seen as a sign that Republican control over the Austin commuter belt is slipping.

While Austin, AISD, and the Travis County Com­mis­sioners have moved their elections to November, several smaller jurisdictions have kept the May date, including those like Cedar Park that cross county lines. However, not everything was good news for progressives and social investment, after three propositions representing a proposal for $579 million in urgently needed construction bonds for Round Rock ISD failed by between 4 and 14 percentage points. Blame in part none other than Don Zimmerman who, after being kicked off Austin City Council by voters last November, headed up the Travis County Taxpayers Union’s spoiler campaign against the bonds.

Election Time Again

A version of this article appeared in print on May 12, 2017 with the headline: Election Time Again

This article appears in May 12 • 2017.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.