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 924 votes.
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 served a shortened two-year term.
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. Jennifer Virden, who was third place, had a reputation of being conservative.
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. 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.
Candidates Declared Craig Blanchard, business owner (party affiliation: Democratic) Anthony Bradshaw, security guard Phil Campero Brual, Legislative intern and University of Texas at Austin government student Celia Israel, state representative from the 50th district (party affiliation: Democratic) Gary Spellman, business owner Jennifer Virden, business owner and realtor Kirk Watson, former president pro tempore of the Texas Senate from the 14th district and former mayor (party affiliation: Democratic)
Withdrew Erica Nix, fitness instructor, performance artist, and LGBT activist (endorsed Israel)
Declined Greg Casar, city councilor (ran for U.S. House) Adam Loewy, attorney Kathie Tovo, city councilor
Endorsements
Debates First round A candidate forum was held on October 28 in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library. + Date Host Moderator Link Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Nonpartisan NonpartisanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Anthony Bradshaw Phil Brual Celia Israel Gary Spellman Jennifer Virden Kirk Watson1 Oct. 5, 2022 Austin MonitorKUT YouTube 2 Oct. 12, 2022 Austin PBS Sonta Henderson YouTube 3 Oct. 18, 2022 Austin American-StatesmanKVUE Ashley GoudeauRyan Autullo YouTube
Runoff + Date Host Moderator Link Nonpartisan NonpartisanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Celia Israel Kirk Watson1 Dec. 1, 2022 KXAN-TV Daniel MarinBritt Moreno YouTube 2 Dec. 5, 2022 KVUE Ashley Goudeau KVUE
Results
References