The big picture
Members of the Travis County Commissioners Court are elected to four-year terms with no state-imposed limits. The court consists of four commissioners and the county judge. Precinct 2 includes portions of northwest and central Austin.
During the primary election, voters choose their party’s nominee in Democratic or Republican races. In Travis County, the races are contested only on the Democratic primary ballot.
A closer look
Candidates running for the seat were asked to complete a questionnaire from Community Impact. They were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
For more information about your local ballot, visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
*Indicates an incumbent
Reese Ricci Armstrong
Occupation & Experience:
Student, student organizer, nonprofit unionist, local young democratic-socialist organization chair, treasurer Jewish Voice for Peace Austin
Candidate Website:
www.reesefortraviscounty.org
Contact Information:
737-313-4848
Question 1: What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priority is to build a county that allows everyone an affordable, dignified life. This looks like building social housing to lower rents, expanding Central Health to move towards universal healthcare, and making ambulances free to ensure nobody fears calling 911.
Question 2: What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
As a relentless fighter and change maker, we're organizing a movement for a county that ensures dignity for all. While our county plays corrupt insider politics, we need a reformer with the vision and experience to build a county for the working class instead of billionaires and corporations.
Question 3: What do you see as the greatest challenge for Travis County, and how will you improve it?
The rising cost of living continues to displace working class residents while our county fails to invest in public infrastructure. I will fight to build social housing to lower your rent, expand Central Health to deliver public healthcare options, and build robust public transportation to slash your commute.
Question 4: What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
I am deeply committed to honest and transparent governance that serves the many, not the few. As Commissioner, I will always be available to you, my door will be open and I will answer. I will never lose sight of who I’m fighting for or sell out to big money.
Rick Astray-Caneda III
Occupation & Experience:
Consultant and Researcher, 12 years government social service program design consulting, 5 years leading Travis County
Candidate Website:
www.rickforprogress.com
Contact Information:
786-325-7425
Question 1: What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Health: Ensuring everyone gets inexpensive vaccines, especially COVID. Focusing on equity and prevention. Affordability: Building affordable housing by leveraging a new state law allowing us to turn unused commercial buildings into housing. Disaster Mitigation: Building a disaster prevention strategy with our community that ensures we have no more flood deaths.
Question 2: What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I spent 12 years working with the frontlines of government staff around the country, building programs that work for people—from a social service call center serving 1 million to a $19 million COVID recovery grant. I know how to lead communities to build government programs that work for all.
Question 3: What do you see as the greatest challenge for Travis County, and how will you improve it?
People are getting priced out, especially the working class. I’ll push to rapidly increase affordable housing. I’ll also lead in reducing or holding the line on taxes by leveraging smart solutions from my 12 years in government consulting including tools like AI to help government work smarter (without reducing staff).
Question 4: What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
I believe the people run their government—it’s the job of a Commissioner to help residents develop plans and then bring those to life. I will be out there engaging you. I’ve led government program design with 10 governments, now I want to bring those skills home to Travis County.
Amanda Marzullo
Candidate Website:
www.amandamarzullo.com
More Information:
Candidate did not respond to Community Impact's questionnaire.
Brigid Shea*
Occupation & Experience:
Travis County Commissioner Precinct 2, County Commissioner since 2015, Austin City Council, Texas Clean Water Action, led Save Our Spring
Candidate Website:
www.brigidshea.com
Question 1: What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Affordability and climate resilience. I will accelerate the county’s electric fleet transition, expand reclaimed water systems that save millions of gallons annually, strengthen wildfire preparedness and evacuation planning, and continue delivering deeply affordable housing. These priorities protect natural resources, reduce long-term costs and strengthen Travis County’s long-term resilience.
Question 2: What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I bring three decades of experience translating community priorities into effective local policy. I helped launch Texas Clean Water Action, led the Save Our Springs campaign, and have served on the Commissioners Court since 2015. My focus is on responsible stewardship, collaboration across perspectives and delivering practical solutions that improve residents' daily lives.
Question 3: What do you see as the greatest challenge for Travis County, and how will you improve it?
Housing affordability is pushing working families farther from jobs and services. I’ve helped deliver 13,500+ affordable homes, increased wages, expanded healthcare access and helped those facing eviction. I will continue pressing for real solutions and use county tools to help residents afford to live where they work.
Question 4: What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
I came to Austin as a grassroots organizer fighting environmental injustice and climate change. We’ve proven local government can make a difference on climate, reducing <br>GHG pollution and winning national awards for programs that keep our residents safer from wildfires, floods and destructive weather. I’m a proven progressive problem-solver.
