With the exception of District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, incumbents who may run for re-election in 2026 have been gathering funds for possible races. That includes Council Members Ryan Alter (District 5), Zo Qadri (District 9) and Paige Ellis (District 8).

Ellis has already indicated that she will be gathering signatures to put her name on the ballot next year because she will have served two terms. An opponent, Selena Xie, has also announced that she will run for the District 8 seat. Xie reported raising nearly $36,000 with nearly $59,000 in the bank. As the president of the Austin EMS Association, Xie can expect (and has received) considerable support from her union.

Ellis indicated she has raised more than $53,000 and has $71,000 in her campaign coffers. Of course, she will need to spend some of that gathering signatures.

The District 2 Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes has not raised any money this year. Her campaign has nearly $53,000 and owes her $3851.

A newcomer to Austin politics, personal injury attorney Ard Ardalan, has filed a report indicating that he intends to run for the District 9 seat currently held by Qadri. However, his campaign finance report shows he raised no money as of the end of June. Qadri is reporting he still has more than $184,000 after raising about $37,000 this year.

Alter’s report shows he has more than $109,000 in the bank after raising nearly $27,000 this year. Contributors include State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, Texas Capitol lobbyist Rusty Kelley, and Austin photojournalist and philanthropist Lynne Dobson.

District 10 Council Member Marc Duchen filed a report showing he raised nearly $41,000 and still has an outstanding loan of $20,000 (to himself). District 6 Council Member Krista Laine also owes herself $20,000 and has about $9645 in the bank. She reported raising $636 during the first six months of the year.

Mayor Kirk Watson filed a report showing no contributions and an outstanding loan to himself for $25,000.

District 4 Council Member José Chito Vela did not report raising any money so far this year. He has more than $9000 in the bank and owes himself $10,500, according to his report. He won a special election in 2022 and a regular election in 2024, so his term does not expire until the end of 2027.

District 7 Council Member Mike Siegel reported raising $3000 and maintaining more than $7000.

District 3 Council Member José Velásquez reported raising $900 this year. He still has more than $6000 in the bank and no loans.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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