AUSTIN — An Austin special election will be held to replace openly DSA Democrat Socialist Greg Casar as District 4 (North-Central Austin: NACA, Northfield, Rundberg, Highland, Georgian Acres, North Lamar,  Windsor Park, Windsor Hills, and Heritage Hills) Austin City Council Member who has announced his candidacy to run for US Congress in Texas District 35 (runs from eastern Travis County to San Antonio along a narrow strip of Interstate 35).

Five candidates have filed to to run for the Austin City Council District 4 special election likely to be held January 25, 2022.

Unfortunately Austin voters are awake. They’re just too apathetic to get out and vote.
Whoever cares the most wins, and Austinites have repeatedly demonstrated that they care, but not enough to actually get out and vote.

— Daniel W (@1BusyDad) December 20, 2021

Immigration Lawyer Jose “Chito” Vela III (Treasurer: Laura Stromberg Hoke)

Greg Casar and Mayor Steve Adler has endorsed Vela in the District 4 race.

Monica Guzman (Treasurer: Randall E. “Randy” Teich)

Guzman said she intends to push for better living conditions and protections for renters, as well as to advocate for more protections for undocumented immigrants. Affiliated with Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA). GAVA builds community power for health equity in Austin’s Eastern Crescent.

Amanda Rios (Treasurer: Natalie Cuccia)

Rios has said she is focused on public safety and affordability issues.

Jade Lovera (Treasurer: Diane Castelan)

Lovera said she’s focused on reducing crime and addressing Austin’s affordability issues.

Melinda Schiera (Treasurer: Virginia Claire Milam)

Schiera is running on a platform of public safety, transportation infrastructure and beautification efforts.

Ramessess II Setepenre

Ramessess II Setepenre is concerned with cleaning up City Hall.

Isa Boonto

Isa Boonto is concerned with addressing affordable housing.

The city will pay an estimated $253,898 to hold the election, but that figure will grow if the winner is not decided on Election Day and a runoff is needed. A runoff will feature the top two vote-getters,  and if none of the candidates gets a majority of the vote, a runoff will occur.

The runoff, if it is to happen, is tentatively set for March 22 — eight weeks after the special election and three weeks after statewide primary elections on March 1.