Travis Duncan, new candidate for mayor

There’s a new face in the race for Austin mayor. Travis Duncan, 28, joins Mayor Steve Adler and former Council Member Laura Morrison in a quest to lead the city. Morrison plans to make a formal announcement on March 26.

Duncan said he had recently left a job in the solar division of Tesla. “I believe that Tesla is doing some of the best work and has some of the best models to use renewable energy, (but) it’s very slow and it’s not in the best interest of the people,” he concluded.

According to his campaign website, one of Duncan’s major interests is a total revamping of Austin Energy. His website states, “The People’s Power Plant is a visionary plan to make electricity FREE and abundantly available to the people. It works by re-directing the money we already spend on utility bills into new materials that generate our power locally, materials that WE the people own. Once these materials are paid for, and the systems set into place that automate our supply and delivery, we eliminate the cost for electricity.”

Duncan confirmed in a conversation with the Austin Monitor that he believes the city should use only renewable energy, but he disputed the idea that his plan would result in the elimination of many jobs at the utility. He also stated that the city should not allow builders to erect new houses with gas lines because of fossil fuel pollution.

As far as CodeNEXT, Duncan did not indicate a preference for either adopting or rejecting the new Land Development Code. He did say that he wanted to emphasize individual liberty and “respect everybody’s right to live as free as possible.” He said his main interest is helping people continue to live in their homes, and he would like to see the city incentivize landlords to upgrade rental housing without increasing rent.

Earlier this month, Duncan filed paperwork appointing Karen Donsbach as his campaign treasurer. He said he had been thinking about running for mayor for about a year. “I’m called to do this, and I feel the need to step up because I can serve in this way. I can sacrifice my own personal situation,” by stepping into the political arena which he said is “deeply corrupted.”

Duncan will be holding a South by Southwest Town Hall today at 3 p.m. at 405 Colorado St.

Photo courtesy of Travis Duncan.

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