This guide provides a clear overview of AURA’s endorsed candidates and propositions for the November 3, 2026 general election. AURA is a group of Austinites dedicated to building an affordable, walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly Austin.
Austin City Council
Plenty of candidates say they want a more affordable, walkable Austin. Far fewer will vote for the homes and transit that make it possible. In every one of these five races, the AURA-endorsed candidate is the only candidate who commits to all four of these priorities:
- Finishing Project Connect light rail and protecting it from obstruction
- Legalizing “missing middle” homes like fourplexes, rowhomes, and small apartments in more neighborhoods
- Bringing down housing costs by building more homes, both subsidized and market-rate
- Protecting the HOME initiative and the end of parking mandates, and building on those reforms
| City Council District | Endorsed Candidate |
|---|---|
| District 1 | Amber Goodwin |
| District 3 | José Velásquez |
| District 5 | Ryan Alter |
| District 8 | Selena Xie |
| District 9 | Zo Qadri |
Note: City Council elections are non-partisan, meaning candidates will not have a party label. If no candidate secures 50% of the vote, a runoff election will occur on December 12.
District 1: Amber Goodwin
Amber Goodwin is a lawyer, organizer, and public safety advocate focused on keeping neighborhoods safe and affordable. Amber wants to diversify Austin’s housing options, build equitable transit-oriented development, and expand transit. Amber is the only candidate in this race who both supports zoning reforms like the HOME initiative and has committed to protecting Austin light rail, making her the clear pro-housing, pro-transit choice for District 1.
District 3: José Velásquez
Council Member José Velásquez has championed community engagement and affordable housing. José led efforts to prevent residents from being displaced by rising costs, and he worked to eliminate parking mandates for bars. José is committed to transit-oriented development along East Riverside that will make light rail a success with a walkable, mixed-use neighborhood along the rail line.
District 5: Ryan Alter
Ryan Alter’s win in 2022 flipped District 5 into a pro-housing vote and made Austin’s recent housing reforms like the HOME initiative possible. During his first term, Ryan has fought diligently to reduce housing costs by digging into the details to find and cut excessive red tape in the city’s permitting and zoning. He’s also led efforts to allow neighborhood coffee and food shops, buy land for new parks, expand solar on city buildings, and support climate initiatives.
District 8: Selena Xie
Selena Xie is a Commander at Austin Travis County EMS, an ICU nurse in the Dell Seton Surgical ICU, and the former Austin EMS Association President. Before the HOME initiative passed, Selena joined other union and community leaders in publicly supporting its zoning reforms. She also supports making Austin more walkable and bikeable by allowing more shops and services closer to homes.
District 9: Zo Qadri
Zo Qadri’s election in 2022 was instrumental in ushering in a new era of pro-housing, pro-transit policy in District 9 and in Austin. In his very first year as a Council Member, he led Austin to become the largest city in the US to fully eliminate parking mandates. Zo has consistently advocated for affordability, zoning reform, safer streets, public transit, and better student housing, so we’re excited to see what Zo will do with a second term.
City of Austin Ballot Propositions
AURA members voted on each of the propositions below. The League of Women Voter’s November 2026 Voter Guide has explanations of all the propositions starting on Page 33.
| Prop | AURA Endorsement |
|---|---|
| Proposition A | For |
| Proposition B | For |
| Proposition C | For |
| Proposition D | No position |
| Proposition E | No position |
| Proposition F | For |
| Proposition G | For |
| Proposition H | For |
| Proposition I | Against |
| Proposition J | For |
Travis County Commissioners Court
When it comes to urbanist priorities, most of the impact of the County Commission is allocating funding for transportation projects. Our members voted to endorse:
| Race | Endorsed Candidate |
|---|---|
| Travis County Commissioners Court, District 4 | George Morales |
Texas State House
Our members voted to endorse candidates in HD49 and HD50 who committed to these four priorities:
- Passing legislation that allows cities to build more housing types near jobs, schools, and transit, including missing middle housing
- Supporting HB24 and SB840
- Repealing parking minimums statewide
- Advocating for increased non-car transportation funding and supporting Project Connect
| House District | Endorsed Candidate |
|---|---|
| HD-49 | Montserrat Garibay |
| HD-50 | Samantha Lopez-Resendez |