District 1 Council Member Ora Houston's decision to not seek re-election meant the East Austin district would welcome fresh representation at the city's decision-making table, and a cast of newcomers have flocked to the opportunity.
The majority-minority district begins just west of I-35, extends east to SH 130, and is bordered by Parmer Lane to the north and the Colorado River to the south. District 1's west end has become a magnet for commercial and residential development, which has priced many longtime residents and businesses out of their homes and created a growing gentrification problem. The area also suffers from restricted access to health care and other city resources and a depleted relationship with the police force.
The candidates running to represent District 1 on the Austin City Council dais hail from a range of backgrounds and experiences. They each answered five questions, ranging from how to address gentrification and improve the relationship with the police, to traffic and small businesses stability.
Community Impact Newspaper set a strict 100-word limit and did not edit the answers for grammar or spelling—they are printed verbatim.
