2022 Austin mayoral election explained

Election Name:2022 Austin mayoral election
Flag Image:Flag of Austin, Texas.svg
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2018 Austin mayoral election
Previous Year:2018
Next Election:2024 Austin mayoral election
Next Year:2024
Election Date:November 8, 2022 (first round)
December 13, 2022 (runoff)
1Blank:First round
2Blank:Runoff
Image1:Mayor Kirk Watson at 8th Street Shelter (cropped).png
Candidate1:Kirk Watson
Colour1:c0c0c0
1Data1:106,508
35.0%
2Data1:57,565
50.4%
Candidate2:Celia Israel
Colour2:c0c0c0
1Data2:121,862
40.0%
2Data2:56,623
49.6%
Candidate3:Jennifer Virden
Image3:3x4.svg
Colour3:c0c0c0
1Data3:56,189
18.4%
2Data3:Eliminated
Mayor
Before Election:Steve Adler
After Election:Kirk Watson
Turnout:52.33% (first round)

The 2022 Austin mayoral election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the next mayor of Austin, Texas. The election was nonpartisan; candidates' party affiliations did not appear on the ballot. Incumbent mayor Steve Adler was term-limited and could not run for re-election. In the general election, state representative Celia Israel and former mayor Kirk Watson took the first two spots, leading realtor Jennifer Virden and several other candidates. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, the race proceeded to a runoff election between Israel and Watson on December 13, which Watson won by 30 votes.[1]

Due to the passage of Proposition D in 2021, which scheduled mayoral elections in Austin to coincide with presidential elections, the winner of this election is to serve a shortened two-year term.[2]

The election occurred concurrently with district city council races.

Background

Though the election was officially nonpartisan, the runoff candidates, Celia Israel and Kirk Watson, were both affiliated with the Democratic Party.[3] Jennifer Virden, who was third place, had a reputation of being conservative.[4]

Steven Pedigo, director of UT's LBJ Urban Lab, indicated that Watson's support was centralized with longtime residences of Austin in areas like the Northwest, and Israel's support was with younger demographics in growing and gentrifying areas of South and East Austin.[5] According to Axios, Watson likely benefitted by the absence of Beto O’Rourke, who drew out younger and more progressive voters, from appearing on the runoff ballot. Furthermore, voters who supported more conservative Virden were more inclined to opt for Watson in the runoff.[5]

Candidates

Declared

Withdrew

Declined

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Results . 27 February 2024.
  2. Web site: Props D and E pass, changing how Austin elections work . KXAN Austin . May 1, 2021 . Ashley . Miznazi . November 21, 2021 .
  3. Web site: Dey . Joshua Fechter and Sneha . Austin mayor's race heading to a runoff, Dallas county judge wins reelection . The Texas Tribune . 29 November 2022 . en . 9 November 2022.
  4. Web site: Virden positions herself as the 'common-sense' candidate for mayor . Austin Monitor . 24 August 2022.
  5. Web site: Price . Asher . Austin mayor's race results show a cleaved Austin . Axios . 29 November 2022 . en . 10 November 2022.
  6. Web site: One added to mayoral lineup as Littlefield tweets candidate facts .
  7. Web site: Anthony Bradshaw wants 'to see an Austin, Texas, that is successful' . Saldaña, Sean . Austin Monitor . October 25, 2022 . October 25, 2022.
  8. Web site: Campaign Treasurer Appointment Forms - Master List AustinTexas.gov . 2022-06-03 . www.austintexas.gov.
  9. Web site: 2022-06-02 . Austin mayoral candidate unveils 6-part housing affordability plan . 2022-06-14 . KXAN Austin . en-US.
  10. News: Barragán. James. January 11, 2022. State Rep. Celia Israel announces run for Austin mayor. The Texas Tribune. live. January 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220112225215/https://www.texastribune.org/2022/01/11/celia-israel-austin-mayor/. January 12, 2022.
  11. Web site: Gary Spellman looks to disrupt Austin politics . Saldaña, Sean . Austin Monitor . September 29, 2022 . October 25, 2022.
  12. Web site: Jennifer Virden is running for mayor of Austin in 2022 . kvue.com . November 9, 2021 . Britny . Eubank .
  13. Web site: Austin American-Statesman.
  14. News: State Rep. Celia Israel launches exploratory committee for Austin mayor in 2022 . Austin American-Statesman . Madlin . Mekelburg . September 22, 2021 .
  15. Web site: 2022-09-01 . Nix drops out of mayoral race, issues endorsement for Israel . 2022-09-05 . Austin Monitor . en-US.
  16. News: Lindell . Chuck . November 4, 2021 . Greg Casar to leave Austin City Council, run for Congress . Austin American-Statesman . Gannett . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211105043452/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2021/11/04/greg-casar-leave-austin-city-council-run-congress/6280950001/ . November 5, 2021.
  17. Web site: Conservative District 10 challenger Jennifer Virden announces run for Austin mayor . Austonia . June 22, 2021 . Emma . Freer .
  18. News: Conservative Jennifer Virden officially announces run for Austin Mayor . Austonia . November 8, 2021 . Andrea . Guzmán .

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