Following runoff election wins in 2016 and 2020, council member Alison Alter is not seeking to extend her time in office as she reaches her term limit.
Two candidates are now vying to fill her seat: small-business owner and consultant Marc Duchen, and legislative director and former teacher Ashika Ganguly.
Learn more about the candidates ahead of the Nov. 5 election. Eligible Austin residents have until Oct. 7 to register to vote, and early voting starts Oct. 21 and ends Nov. 1.
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 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.
Marc Duchen
Experience:
Two decades in politics, advocacy, technology, running a small business, decade of community board service.
Occupation:
Small business owner and consultant
Candidate Website:
https://www.marcforaustin.com
Contact Information:
512-500-6938
Why are you running for this office, and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?
I want to build on my professional and community service experience to continue to bring accountability and affordability to our budget, land use policies, and city planning. I’ll work to ensure we are putting District 10 people and priorities first and push back against extremism and wastefulness.
Following years of increased property taxes and costs for city services, how would you aim to keep Austin affordable for residents?
I’ll leverage my financial and budgeting experience to ensure projects are scoped correctly and tax dollars create value. I’ll advocate for audits, retire obsolete programs, spend our $1.4B in unexpended bonds, and champion metrics that tie spending to outcomes so we can continue what works and fix what’s broken.
What are your mobility goals, both citywide and in your district? Are there any upgrades you’d seek for your constituents?
We need flexible, immediate, and cost-effective transit solutions for the district and Austin. Bus rapid transit, on demand transit, expanding pickup to other neighborhoods can help expand access, reduce pollution, enhance safety, and is far more economical than rail. Our investments must be impactful and tied to needs and ridership.
What approach should City Council be taking in relation to public safety and the police department?
We need a police contract that balances accountability and oversight with predictability, and invest in officer training, tools, and resources to provide a professional police force that can deliver the right response at the right time. We are short 350 officers so I’ve proposed solutions to optimize our police force.
Ashika Ganguly
Experience:
Five years AISD teacher, UT master's in policy, legislative and policy expert at Capitol
Occupation:
Legislative director
Candidate Website:
https://www.ashikaforaustin.com
Contact Information:
512-439-9458
Why are you running for this office, and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?
District 10 faces many challenges after years of growth. I grew up in Austin, and I have watched the city change. We are facing public safety challenges, including police staffing and wildfire preparedness, traffic and housing challenges, and the biggest challenge of all—holding on to what makes Austin special.
Following years of increased property taxes and costs for city services, how would you aim to keep Austin affordable for residents?
The median home price in Austin has tripled in the last fifteen years. That’s because we don’t have enough housing. The council should focus its energy on ensuring long-time residents can afford to live here while also responsibly managing growth. We can do more with senior and disabled homestead exemptions.
What are your mobility goals, both citywide and in your district? Are there any upgrades you’d seek for your constituents?
We can reduce traffic by encouraging other modes of transportation. Transit is one piece, and building out an effective and efficient city-wide transit system is important. The city should encourage telework and incentivize alternate commuting schedules. I will work toward a city where some families can live without a car.
What approach should City Council be taking in relation to public safety and the police department?
We have a major staffing shortfall. The city needs to act to close that gap. We need to improve our police academy so that more officers are better prepared for policing. I will work to improve morale in the police department, and that starts with a long-term police contract.
