New candidates enter District 4 race

The race to fill the seat of departing District 4 Council Member Greg Casar just got a little more interesting, with the arrival of two new candidates, Jade Lovera and Melinda Schiera. Lovera filed her campaign treasurer designation last week and told the Austin Monitor she would be formally announcing her campaign at 4:30 p.m. today at the Gus Garcia Recreation Center. She indicated that her campaign website would be functional today at jadeforaustin.com. Schiera’s website says she has “volunteered as vice-president and president of the North Austin Civic Association, leading communication, beautification and safety efforts for the past 10-plus years.” The website also reveals that has her own business called Belt Out Loud Marketing. These two candidates join attorney Jose “Chito” Vela, Monica Guzmán, policy director for Go Austin/Vamos Austin, and Amanda Rios, who is a supporter of Save Austin Now, the PAC behind the recent failed initiative to beef up the Austin Police Department.