Austin City Council District 6 resident and community activist Jimmy Flannigan announced May 10 he plans to run for the district’s council seat, currently held by Don Zimmerman.

Zimmerman defeated Flannigan by less than 200 votes in a runoff election in 2014, and his term expires Jan. 2. District 6 includes the Williamson County portion of the city of Austin in Northwest Austin as well as areas surrounding RM 620.

This election cycle, Flannigan said residents have had a chance to see that Zimmerman is “ill-prepared” for the job. He said Zimmerman has alienated both residents and other City Council members. The District 6 representative should work to build relationships and trust to improve the quality of life for residents, he said.

“Ideological grandstanding will not make our roads safer,” he said.

Flannigan heads the Northwest Austin Coalition, comprising neighborhoods west of MoPac and north of RM 2222, through which he initiated a citizen-led corridor study of Anderson Mill Road. The coalition also focuses on affordability, public safety, zoning and land use and government affairs.

Flannigan will host a campaign kick-off party May 12 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Brass House, 115 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin.