State Rep. Celia Israel (D-TX) is running for mayor of Austin, she announced Jan. 11.
“Today, standing in Parque Zaragoza, I announced that I am running to serve as the next mayor of this beautiful and great city, committed to being a mayor for ALL of Austin,” she tweeted. “Let’s make the Austin we love work for all of us.”
The election is Nov. 8, with incumbent mayor Steve Adler unable to see re-election because of term limits.
In September, Israel announced she was not running for re-election for the Texas House of Representatives, where she has served four terms, KXAN reported.
In the legislature, Israel has been a member of the Legislative Study Group, the Women’s Health Caucus, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus and is a founding member of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, Fox 7 reported.
She has sponsored legislation to protect voting rights, invest in transportation infrastructure and in support of LGBTQ youth, the station said.
In November, businesswoman Jennifer Virden announced she is running for mayor, KXAN said. Other possible candidates include City Council District 9 Rep. Kathie Tovo and former state Sen. and Austin mayor Kirk Watson, the station said.
