Government
BY ELLE BENT & BEN THOMPSON
Garza secures party nomination for DA
Council backs Austin cultural initiatives
Two remain in Austin city manager search City Council narrowed its search for Austin’s next city manager in March. Current situation A national search led 39 candidates to apply for the top local government job in early 2024. After a closed-door March 5 discussion, City Council selected three nalists with city manager experience:
TravCo issues disaster declaration for eclipse Travis County o cials declared a local disaster March 8 for the total solar eclipse April 8. What happened The declaration comes in anticipation of an in ux of visitors and tra c in April, and potential strains on rst responders the week of the eclipse. Austin’s 911 Emergency Communications Center will increase sta ng from April 6-9 to address a potential for additional calls. Private property owners in unincorporated areas of Travis County are required to give o cials notice if planning a gathering with more than 50 people. Residents are encouraged to view the eclipse from home, run errands before April 8 and plan ahead for tra c.
Local races
“It’s important to keep the momentum going around this issue. Red River Cultural District is a critical
Winner
part of Austin’s vibrant cultural music and arts scene, [and] has a sizable role in the local economy.” ZO QADRI, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
66.86% José Garza 33.14% Jeremy Sylestine Travis County District Attorney, Democratic Party 56.68% Sherine Thomas 28.7% Susana Castillo 14.63% Madeleine Connor 353rd Judicial District judge, Democratic Party 86.09% Lloyd Doggett 7.88% Christopher “Chris” McNerney 6.04% Eduardo “Lalito” Romero U.S. House District 37, Democratic Party
Incumbent José Garza won the Democratic nomination for Travis County district attorney over opponent Jeremy Sylestine in the March 5 primary election. He’ll face Republican Daniel Betts in the November general election. In other news Sherine Thomas won the Democratic 353rd Judicial District race with over 56% of the vote. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Casar ran unopposed and will face the winner of a Republican runo for House District 35. Incum- bent U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett won the District 37 Democratic primary and will face Republican Jenny Garcia Sharon. Michael Rodriguez and Steven Wright will compete in the runo May 28 for District 35 Republican race.
Multiple City Council actions last month were aimed at expanding Austin’s support for the local arts, music and cultural scene. What happened After organizers announced the Blues on the Green summer concert series had been canceled in January, it was revived thanks to support from council and HEB in February. Two weeks later, council members voted to send a nancial aid package to downtown’s Red River Cultural District after stakeholders from the entertainment strip petitioned City Hall for help. Both actions were tied to resolutions from council members Natasha Harper-Madison and Zo Qadri, respectively aimed at: • Improving Austin’s partnerships with various local cultural events
• Supporting the city’s multiple cultural districts What’s next Harper-Madison’s item asked city sta to nd new ways for the city to support free, public cultural events and festivals throughout Austin’s arts ecosystem. In addition to calling for a Red River aid pack- age, Qadri’s measure could lead Austin to build a new funding framework for cultural and heritage districts, according to the resolution.
• T.C. Broadnax of Dallas • Sara Hensley of Denton
• Brian Platt of Kansas City, Missouri Platt announced his withdrawal from Austin’s selection process March 10. A public town hall with Broadnax and Hensley is scheduled for March 25, after press time. Council could make a nal decision April 4.
SOURCES: TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE COMMUNITY IMPACT
BRODIE LANE 4970 Hwy 290 W (512) 366-8260 SOUTHPARK MEADOWS 9900 IH-35 Service Road S (512) 280-7400
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