AUSTIN, Texas — The runoff elections to determine Austin's mayor for the next four years is set for Tuesday, Dec. 13. Polls are open from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m.
The runoff election will determine who will hold the mayoral position for the city of Austin for the next four years. Neither Celia Israel nor Kirk Watson were able to secure the needed 50% or more votes in November to replace current Mayor Steve Adler, who has already served two four-year terms and is unable to run for a third. In the November election, Israel received 40% of the votes, while Watson received 30%.
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Israel is a former state representative and her platform supports protecting voting rights, supporting LGBTQ+ children, improving safety and investing in transportation infrastructure. Meanwhile, Watson has already held the position of Austin’s mayor previously, from 1997 to 2001. In 2002, he was the Democratic nominee for Texas attorney general — a race he lost to current Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He joined the Texas Senate in 2006 until his retirement in 2020.
Early voting turnout for the runoff election was low and turnout in general for runoff elections are typically low as well.
Other races in the runoff election include:
City Council, District 3
- Jose Velasquez
- Daniela Silva
City Council, District 5
- Ryan Alter
- Stephanie Bazan
City Council, District 9
- Zohaib “Zo” Qadri
- Linda Guerrero