Who's running for Austin mayor?
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There are five people on your ballot to become Austin's next mayor, including incumbent Mayor Kirk Watson.
If it seems like you just went and voted for Austin mayor, you’re right. You did.
Watson’s term was only two years — instead of four — because Austin voted to move its mayoral elections to run concurrently with presidential ones. This will be the first mayoral election that aligns with that change.
See updated results throughout the night below after polls close at 7 p.m.
This list of candidates is in the order you will see them on your ballot.
Carmen Llanes Pulido
On Jan. 23, Carmen Llanes Pulido announced her intentions to run for Austin mayor.
According to a release from her campaign, Llanes Pulido "has been a leading voice" in underserved Austin communities working with GAVA (Go! Austin/¡Vamos! Austin) and as a member of the planning commission.
Llanes Pulido is the executive director for GAVA.
“Many Austinites from diverse backgrounds have asked me to step up and run for office," Llanes Pulido said in the release. “There is a real craving for honest representation and common-sense solutions. People see a lack of transparency and a genuine problem with the influence that wealthy special interests wield. We need leadership that listens to the needs of people from all ends of the economic spectrum.”
You can read more about Llanes Pulido's platforms in our sit down with her here.
Jeffery L. Bowen
On Aug. 19, the final day to file to be on the ballot, Bowen threw his name in the hat. He told KXAN he made the call after seeing Jennifer Virden's post about not running for office.
"I'm behind. But you know what? Nothing ventured, nothing gained," he told KXAN.
Bowen is a veteran -- he served more than 20 years -- and now owns a small business doing consulting, project management and other miscellaneous projects. He's Council Member Mackenzie Kelly's appointee to the board of adjustments and is vice president of the Austin Neighborhoods Council.
He was also one of the plaintiffs on the CodeNEXT lawsuit, which undid the city's overhaul of its land development code -- and a lawsuit that followed which undid several land development code changes that followed.
"Honestly, when I was asked about what my feelings were--if I wanted to join the lawsuit, I said, 'Yeah, sign me up.' I had a problem with the fact of the city wanting to take away my protest rights and also violating state law," he said.
You can read more about Bowen and his platforms in our one-on-one with him here.
Doug Greco
On Feb. 5, Doug Greco also announced he was running for the position.
According to a release, Greco served as the lead organizer and executive director for Central Texas Interfaith for 12 years and stepped down just prior to his announcement.
In his announcement, Greco pointed to his work on LGBTQ rights under State Rep. Gina Hinojosa and as director of programs at Equity California. Greco is also openly gay, his release said.
“I’m running for Mayor because Austin needs a leader who will stand up for working people and against big money at City Hall and unchecked corporate power in politics overall. Despite Austin’s wealth and unprecedented growth, working people continue to be pushed out of the city and out of the middle class,” said Greco.
You can read more about Greco and his platforms in our one-on-one with him here.
Kirk Watson
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is officially running for reelection, he announced in April.
Watson served as mayor from 1997-2001 and took office again in early 2023. The mayor will serve two years, instead of four because Austin voted to have its election run concurrent to the presidential one. It means the national stage will play a bigger role in Austin politics moving forward.
“We’ve made such great strides, but I want a full term of four years,” Watson said. “When I came in, I think there was a general feeling and understanding that city hall wasn’t taking care of people’s basic needs in the city, and I think now the general understanding is that it’s on track and it’s doing those kinds of things.”
You can read more about Watson's policies in KXAN's sit down interview with Watson.
Kathie Tovo
Former Austin City Council Member Kathie Tovo officially announced her intent to run for the seat in mid-January.
Tovo served on the city council from 2011 to 2023 as an at-large member of the council and later for District 9.
“I’m still committed to these same progressive values: equity, honest government and standing up for women, workers, immigrants and our LGBTQIA+ community. You can also count on me to fight against bad plans like the I-35 expansion and the State’s attacks on our local freedoms.
This campaign will be about engaging with Austinites throughout the city to craft a vision where every Austinite has the opportunity to succeed and thrive,” Tovo said in her announcement.
You can read more about Tovo's platforms in KXAN's one-on-one with her here.
There are also several Austin City Council seats up for grabs. You can see a list of all candidates below:
Election Day is Nov. 5.