Candidates for Austin mayor and the five City Council seats on the ballot this November raised $1.37 million for their campaigns so far this year, with about $1.2 million still on hand as their contests heat up this summer.
Incumbent Mayor Kirk Watson is facing three challengers in his reelection campaign seeking his first full four-year term after a narrow runoff win in 2022.
Across the city, council races in districts 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 feature differing prospects for sitting city officials and potential newcomers. Incumbent District 2 council member Vanessa Fuentes has no declared opposition as of July, while the race to succeed Leslie Pool in District 7 has drawn six contenders so far.
Candidates' July 15 financial reports covered the first half of 2024 following more limited activity in 2023. All council hopefuls must file to run by Aug. 19, and the next look at their campaign finances will come a month before the Nov. 5 election.
Mayor
The race for mayor was the most lopsided financially through June. Watson's campaign noted he outraised his three challengers by a more than three-to-one margin, and had nearly five times as much money still on hand.Watson brought in more than 1,900 donations totaling $710,000, and had over half a million dollars available heading into the second half of the year. Political consultant David Butts, who's working with Watson’s campaign, said the monetary advantage left others at a "prohibitive disadvantage."
"What candidates raise by the June 30 deadline usually reflects how strong their ability will be to raise additional funds from outside of their base of core supporters. These challengers simply aren’t showing the strength needed to be competitive," Butts said in a statement.
Former Central Texas Interfaith leader Doug Greco posted the highest fundraising total among other mayoral candidates with more than $88,000 in donations from 530 contributions, and $52,000 still on hand. Greco's campaign noted his position among the challengers and said he was building momentum ahead of the election. In a statement, Greco also said Watson's "impressive" fundraising totals don't necessarily give him a runaway advantage.
"It's interesting the Mayor's team talks of competitive strength, since he barely eked out a win against Celia Israel two years ago despite raising $1.8 million," Greco said. "Austin needs a mayor that is going to fight for working people, not the rich and powerful, and take on Greg Abbott and state leaders on their attacks against our local decisions and civil rights. That's what I'll do."
Former planning commissioner and Go! Austin/¡Vamos! Austin leader Carmen Llanes Pulido brought in just over $71,000 from almost 500 people, and had nearly $8,600 available to spend.
Former City Council member Kathie Tovo drew about 370 contributions totaling more than $57,000, and maintained about $44,000 as of late June.
District 2
As of mid-July, incumbent District 2 council member Vanessa Fuentes isn't facing any competition in the race to represent Southeast Austin.
Fuentes, first elected in 2020, drew nearly $57,000 and had more than $91,000 available for the only uncontested city race heading into July.District 4
Sitting council member Chito Vela brought in nearly $24,000 for his reelection campaign from over 100 people, and after spending less than $8,000 he reported having about $78,600 for the remainder of the summer and fall.Vela's set to once again face GAVA leader Monica Guzmán, who also contended with him in a 2022 special election to replace former council member Greg Casar. Guzmán's latest finance report wasn't available as of press time July 16.
District 6
Incumbent Mackenzie Kelly, Austin's only Republican on the council dais, heavily outpaced former appraiser and educational advocate Krista Laine in the race to represent far Northwest Austin.Kelly reported raising more than $122,000 for her reelection bid, about doubling Laine's $66,550 over the same time. Kelly reported more than 750 individual donations to Laine's 389.
Kelly's campaign said her collections from 2023 and early 2024 represent a new high for District 6 mid-year finances, demonstrating "overwhelming support" for her from across the city.
“I am deeply humbled and grateful for the incredible support from the people of Austin,” Kelly said in a statement. "This record-breaking fundraising total for June 30th report is a testament to our community’s trust and confidence in our vision for a safer, more prosperous Austin.”
District 7
In the more crowded race to succeed Pool in North Central Austin's District 7, attorney and former Congressional candidate Mike Siegel jumped out to a financial lead over his competitors.Siegel drew more than $44,500 from about 460 donations in 2024, and reported $66,000 on hand ahead of July.
“Our campaign’s strong fundraising speaks to the deep and broad community support we’ve earned across this district,” Siegel said in a statement. “I know from personally knocking hundreds of doors this summer, the people in District 7 want a progressive champion who will stand up and fight for their values. That’s what I plan to do on the Austin City Council.”
Adam Powell, a former union organizer, recruiter and state employee, garnered more than $32,000 from more than 400 contributions this year and reported having over $16,100 remaining. In a statement, he called his campaign the city's "most grassroots" this year and credited his support in the community.
“The combination of having the lowest average contribution amount of any Austin City Council candidate and the most unique donors in our race proves it," he said. "I fully expected to be out-fundraised by a three-to-one margin on this report, but the gap was barely over $12,000. To be within striking distance of the top spot while nearly tripling the amount we raised on our first report was beyond my wildest expectations.”
Todd Shaw, an environmental engineer and former chair of Austin's Planning Commission, reported $15,620 from 112 individuals and nearly $13,000 remaining as of July.
Edwin Bautista, a neighborhood association leader and community grant planner, reported $320 in funds raised with about $82 remaining.
Finance reports for two more District 7 candidates—NAACP Texas president Gary Bledsoe and Coast Guard member Pierre Nguyen—weren't available as of press time July 16.
District 10
Two contenders in West Austin's District 10 posted closer totals this year, with former Austin ISD educator Ashika Ganguly edging out consultant and neighborhood advocate Marc Duchen in the race to succeed Alison Alter.Through the first half of 2024. Ganguly brought in more than $41,300 from 414 contributions to Duchen's approximately $36,150 from 173 contributions. She had more than $47,000 on hand against Duchen's nearly $40,400.
Ganguly said her dollar and donor totals represented "overwhelming community support" in District 10's first-ever race without an incumbent.
“This fundraising report is just a snapshot of the enthusiasm we have heard, from town halls across the district and on the hundreds of doors knocked since January," Ganguly said in a statement. "I've lived in West Austin my whole life, and District 10 since before Austin drew 10-1 districts. Our community is more diverse than people give it credit for, and our fundraising report represents the array of families, professionals, city employees, and essential workers who make our city vibrant and fulfilling."
Duchen said his support stemmed from a desire for "experience and pragmatism" from West Austinites.
"Whether it is improving public safety, protecting our green spaces, updating the land development code in a way that doesn’t displace residents and wreck neighborhoods, I promise to always put our district’s interests ahead of the special interests or the forces of politics as usual," he said in a statement.
Also of note
Most sitting City Council members not facing reelection this year—Natasha Harper-Madison, José Velásquez, Paige Ellis and outgoing members Pool and Alison Alter—reported no financial activity so far in 2024. District 5's Ryan Alter raised over $11,600 and now has more than $58,000 available.
But District 9's Zo Qadri, who isn't up for reelection until 2026, reported a higher donation total than any candidate aside from Watson. Qadri drew over $130,000 from about 1,100 individual contributions in 2024 and had $121,500 available as of the end of June.
