Fight for Austin PAC forms

A new political action committee formed to boost candidates who “prioritize public safety” in the November City Council elections launched Tuesday. In a press release about the new Fight for Austin PAC, the group announced its intention to educate voters and support candidates based on “their record and positions related to public safety issues, especially the homeless campaign ordinance and the $150 million police budget cut. Candidate questionnaires will be sent out and reviewed before endorsement decisions will be made.” This November, voters will choose City Council members in districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10, with incumbents running in all but District 2. The PAC has six founding board members: S.A.F.E. Project founder Cleo Petricek, downtown property owner Michael Girard, former City Council Member Ellen Troxclair, executive Chris Ragland, chiropractor Larry D. Maddalena and Travis GOP Chair Matt Mackowiak. “Incumbent Council members have made our city less safe,” Mackowiak said. “Our Fight for Austin PAC will give Austinites an opportunity to support candidates who will make our city safer. It is time Austin fights back against City Hall. It is time we throw the bums out.” (Disclosure: Ellen Troxclair is on the board of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, which is the parent nonprofit of the Austin Monitor.)