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 4 includes portions of southeast and south 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. The current Commissioner Margaret Gomez announced her retirement this summer after over five decades in public service.
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.
Gavino Fernandez Jr
Occupation & Experience:
Retired, former chief of staff from 1991-1994 for Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4 Marcos De Leon
Contact Information:
512-477-7512
Question 1: What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
NO MORE TAX INCREASES. No ICE, keep Precinct 4 affordable. Support climate change policies. Empower Precinct 4 constituents with resources to address flooding and transportation. Create a cabinet of business to advise me on policies. Realtors, small businesses, women issues, LGBT members, senior citizens, veterans and young people. ...
Question 2: What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
Served as former chief of staff from 1991-1994 for Travis County commissioner Pct. 4 Marcos de Leon. Former chief of staff for Cristo Rey Catholic Church father Jessie Eurieste. Served as LULAC District 12 director, over 50 years of community service in east Austin. Bi-lingual in Spanish. ...
Question 3: What do you see as the greatest challenge for Travis County, and how will you improve it?
Funding for repair of roads flooding—Onion Creek mitigation. Transportation: I will work to get Del Valle in the Capitol Metro service area by calling for an election. Food desert: I will work to increase health resources in the rural areas and grocery stores. <br>Accommodation of growth through smart planning. ...
Question 4: What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
50 years of community engagement, lifetime Democrat, Bernie. Lifetime resident of Travis County and Austin, Texas. I live in the Holly neighborhood. Trustworthy, champion of democracy and civil rights. I was the East Austin against Pro Q campaign coordinator with 60% of ALL [residents] in precinct 4 rejecting prop Q. ...
George Morales III
Occupation & Experience:
Former elected Constable Precinct 4, current Constable Deputy, 20 years experience with Travis County ...
Candidate Website:
www.georgeforcommissioner.com
Question 1: What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
Ensuring families stay housed and connected through affordable, workforce and senior housing options. Community health and safety: expanding Central Health partnerships, completing the mental health diversion center and improving emergency response. Infrastructure that serves people: flood mitigation, safe roads and sidewalks, and improved transit access across Southeast and South Austin.
Question 2: What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I bring over 20 years of experience with Travis County government, including 16 years as an administrator on the Commissioner’s Court, focusing on budgeting, housing and community access for marginalized groups. During that time, I have championed fair pay, mental health services and workplace safety for Travis County employees.
Question 3: What do you see as the greatest challenge for Travis County, and how will you improve it?
Health care, transportation, and displacement. We can improve our communities by bringing these issues to the forefront at commissioners court and investing equitably to address them. We can work with Central Health, Capital Metro, and Travis County HHS, alongside trusted partners, to prioritize these issues.
Question 4: What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
Our community deserves a leader who not only understands the issues we face but has lived through them. I was born and raised in Precinct 4, and I am now raising my children and grandchildren in the same community where I was raised.
Susanna Ledesma Woody
Occupation & Experience:
Project manager; community advocate; Del Valle ISD Trustee, public school trustee (15 years; policy and ...
Candidate Website:
www.VoteSusanna.net
Contact Information:
512-694-3446
Question 1: What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
My top priorities are equitable infrastructure investment, affordable housing, economic growth and development, disaster preparedness, and fiscal accountability. I will focus on directing resources to underserved areas while ensuring county dollars are spent transparently, responsibly, and with measurable outcomes for residents.
Question 2: What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
I bring over a decade of private-sector project management experience in long-range planning, budgeting, and process efficiency, along with public service experience in policymaking, governance, and tax rate review and approval. I have also led a nonprofit delivering accountable, results-driven solutions rooted in community needs.
Question 3: What do you see as the greatest challenge for Travis County, and how will you improve it?
The greatest challenge is uneven investment that leaves some communities behind. I will push for data-driven budgeting, fair distribution of infrastructure and services, and strong oversight to ensure county investments improve quality of life across all parts of Travis County.
Question 4: What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
I grew up in Del Valle (ETJ) and am deeply rooted in Travis County. I have seen firsthand how lack of resources impacts families. I have spent years showing up, listening and working alongside residents, and I will always prioritize people over politics in every decision I make.
Ofelia Maldonado Zapata
Occupation & Experience:
Social Justice Ministry, a 35-year organizer with a track record of victories ...
Candidate Website:
www.facebook/voteofeliazapatafortcp4
Contact Information:
512-669-0809
Question 1: What will be your top priorities if you are elected?
I will meet with communities in Precinct 4 to hear what their priorities for me are.
Question 2: What uniquely qualifies you for this position?
As a seasoned community organizer I won't hesitate to lead and persevere on any issue and will be the Commissioner who listens, works with and is held accountable to serving the people in Precinct 4.
Question 3: What do you see as the greatest challenge for Travis County, and how will you improve it?
Enforcement of Travis County accountability on all contracts, incentives and subsidies, to ensure tax payer dollars are serving the people and not the businesses receiving millions on tax incentives.
Question 4: What is something you want Travis County residents to know about you?
If elected, I will have a real person answer and return calls. I will meet monthly with residents my first year, in their communities, for listening sessions that will craft priorities for us to work on together.
