City Council races start to take shape

This week, local election season began in earnest with the announcement that former City Council Member Laura Morrison would be running against Mayor Steve Adler in November. In addition to the mayor’s race, Council seats in Districts 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9 will be up for grabs. So far only District 1 Council Member Ora Houston and District 8 Council Member Ellen Troxclair have drawn challengers. In District 8, Bobby Levinski, Paige Ellis and Shane Sexton have appointed campaign treasurers. Levinski announced that he would be running for City Council on Jan. 4 in a press release that read, in part, “I’m running for City Council to bring strong, progressive ‘pro-Austin’ leadership to District 8. The residents of District 8 deserve a council member who will fight for them instead of pushing anti-Austin interests at the legislature.” On Jan. 9, Ellis sent out a press release that said she was making an “exploratory bid” for the District 8 seat and expected to make a decision on whether she will run this spring. “I have been involved in my community for many years and am now exploring a run for office after being inspired by the leadership of so many Democratic women. … I have received positive feedback from neighbors, and I look forward to continuing a conversation on issues impacting our community.” Sexton, who announced his candidacy in July, has built an early platform on tax relief, support for public safety and safer streets. A fifth candidate, Rich DePalma, has confirmed that he will be running, but has yet to announce. Similarly, in District 1, Natasha Harper-Madison has filed a treasurer report, but has not yet announced her candidacy. When she does, she will join Lewis “Louie Fattz” Conway in running for the District 1 seat.