Delia Garza files for Travis County attorney race, will finish term as Austin Mayor Pro Tem

Austin Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza filed her candidacy paperwork Dec. 9 to run for Travis County attorney as a Democrat.

Garza, the first Latina to serve as the city's mayor pro tem, announced she would not seek re-election to her District 2 seat on Nov. 12, fueling speculation that she would announce a run for county attorney.

Because Garza filed for the March 2020 primary elections in December, she will be able to serve the rest of her term on City Council. If she had filed earlier—less than one year and 30 days before her term expires at the end of 2020—she would have had to vacate her seat representing the Southeast Austin district, prompting a special election in May to find a replacement.

A majority of City Council members have said they will support her campaign.

Garza will vie against Mike Denton, a Travis County court-at-law judge who retired from the bench in August; Laurie Eiserloh, an assistant county attorney; and Dominic Selvera, a criminal defense attorney.

No one has filed to run in the Republican primary for the same position.

The incumbent David Escamilla announced he will retire when his term ends in 2020; he has held the position since 2003.

The primary election will take place on March 3. Early voting begins on Feb. 18. If runoff elections are necessary, they would take place on May 26, followed by the general election in November.