The Austin City Council District 7 includes about 27 square miles in North Austin, according to City Demographer Ryan Robinson's 10-1 demographics presentation from December 2013.
Neighborhoods in District 7 include Balcones Woods, Gracywoods, Lamplight Village, Milwood, Preston Oaks, Scofield Farms, Scofield Ridge, Walnut Creek, Walnut Crossing and Wooten.
The district borders District 4, and the two share many of the same issues, such as poor east-west road infrastructure, according to www.austindistrict7.org, a coalition of North Austin residents who are following the District 7 race.
Issues affecting District 7 include quality of life, having a mix of housing, schools, public health and safety, open space, the environment, transportation, infrastructure and the economy and small business, said Steven Zettner, the editor of www.austindistrict7.org.
District breakdown
- 80,000 residents, of whom about 53,000 are registered voters
- Voter turnout in 2012 for passage of 10-1 plan: 52 percent
- Home ownership: 43 percent
- Median family income: $74,000
- Poverty rate: 12.3 percent
- Demographics
- White: 57.6%
- Hispanic: 22.4%
- Asian: 9.6%
- African-American: 7.8%
- Other: 2.5%
Source: City of Austin
Candidates
Jeb Boyt
- Occupation: Attorney
- Top issues: Affordability, transportation, accountability
- www.jebforaustin.com, www.facebook.com/jebboytaustincitycouncil, Twitter: @jeboyt
Zack Ingraham
- Occupation: Sales/marketing
- Top issues: Police accountability, transportation, environment and water conservation
- www.voteforzack.com, www.facebook.com/zack.ingraham, Twitter: @zackingraham7
Melissa Zone
- Occupation: Urban and regional planner
- Top issues: Preserve District 7 character, affordability, transportation
- www.zoneforaustin.com, www.facebook.com/zoneforaustin, Twitter: @zoneforaustin
Ed English
- Occupation: Retired from sales, marketing
- Top issues: Affordability, property taxes, transportation/traffic issues, fiscal responsibility, water
- www.edenglishaustindistrict7.org, Twitter: @edwinin2014
Darryl Wittle
- Occupation: Restaurant Manager
- Top issues: Water, housing, affordability and transportation
- No site as of yet
Jimmy Paver
- Occupation: Director of planning and community relations
- Top issues: Traffic/transportation, affordability, fiscal responsibility
- www.jimmypaverforaustin.com, www.facebook.com/jimmypaverforaustin, Twitter: @jimmypaver
Leslie Pool
- Occupation: Executive assistant to Travis County Pct. 5 constable
- Top issues: Preserve/enhance neighborhoods, connectivity, transit, the environment, affordability
- www.lesliepoolforaustin.com, Twitter: @poolforaustin
Pete Salazar
- Occupation: Former employment specialist
- Top issues: Responsible growth, public transit, support for local businesses
- www.peteisaustin.com, www.facebook.com/peteisaustin, Twitter: @peteisaustin
Voter resources
Upcoming Events
- Upper District 7 forum: 7 p.m. Sept. 10, St. Albert Catholic Church, 12041 Bittern Hollow
- Lower District 7 forum: 7 p.m. September 26, St. Louis King of France Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road
This list represents all of the final list of candidates according to the ballot order finalized on 8/20/14. For updates on Austin 10-1 elections, visit impactnews.com/vote-2014/vote-central-texas.
