2026 Texas General Election

Life in District 1

District 1 is home. Alexandria has lived in the MLK Givens Park neighborhood for more than twelve years and remains deeply invested in protecting neighborhood character, strengthening community connections, and improving quality of life for residents.

Resident of the MLK Givens Park neighborhood for over twelve years

Meet Alexandria Anderson | Austin City Council District 1

Alexandria Anderson has lived in the MLK Givens Park neighborhood for more than twelve years.

Small Business Leadership

Founder and operator of Essential Fitness ATX
 Experience managing operations, budgets, and day-to-day business realities
 Works directly with Austin residents through wellness and fitness programming

Professional Athletics and Discipline

Former manager an East Austin arts nonprofit supporting cultural preservation and creative opportunity
 Competed internationally for Nike and USA Track & Field for eight years
 University of Texas track scholarship athlete and UT graduate

Coalition and Board Leadership

Former manager an East Austin arts nonprofit supporting cultural preservation and creative opportunity
 Competed internationally for Nike and USA Track & Field for eight years

Alexandria Anderson is the founder and operator of Essential Fitness ATX. She previously competed internationally for Nike and USA Track & Field and was a manager at an East Austin arts nonprofit.

Alexandria is the founder and operator of Essential Fitness ATX. She previously competed internationally for Nike and USA Track & Field and was a manager at an East Austin arts nonprofit.

Fiscal Responsibility

I will steward public dollars with care and intention. Fiscal responsibility means aligning our budget with real community needs, investing in essential services, and planning for long-term stability. Responsible governance is about prioritizing people and protecting public resources.

Alexandria Anderson for Austin City Council District 1 | Official Campaign Website

Pledges to align the city budget with community needs, essential services, and long-term stability.

- Pledges to align the city budget with community needs, essential services, and long-term stability.

Economy

Community Engagement and Quality of Life

I will run a District 1 office that is present, accessible, and actively engaged with residents year-round. My role is not only to represent District 1 at City Hall, but to collaborate consistently with neighbors to improve daily life across our communities.

Transparency and Accountability

I believe residents deserve clear communication and real opportunities to shape the decisions that affect their lives. I will prioritize transparency at every stage of the decision-making process so District 1 understands how and why policies are made. Accountability builds trust, and trust is the foundation of effective leadership.

Pledges to operate an accessible District 1 office and collaborate with residents throughout the year.

Pledges to prioritize transparency and opportunities for District 1 residents to help shape city decisions.

- Pledges to operate an accessible District 1 office and collaborate with residents throughout the year.
- Pledges to prioritize transparency and opportunities for District 1 residents to help shape city decisions.

Public Services

Housing and Infrastructure Balance

Housing affordability and infrastructure must be addressed together. I support a balanced approach that considers both green and gray infrastructure to ensure development strengthens livability, mobility, and neighborhood stability.

Intentional Growth and System-Level Planning

District 1 is growing, and growth must be intentional. I support housing stabilization, thoughtful zoning updates, and district-specific planning that protects quality of life. Smart growth means balancing density, infrastructure, and preservation so our neighborhoods remain strong and livable.

Supports addressing housing affordability alongside green and gray infrastructure to promote livability, mobility, and neighborhood stability.

Believes in addressing housing affordability alongside "green and gray infrastructure" to promote livability, mobility, and neighborhood stability.

Supports housing stabilization, zoning updates, and district-specific planning that balance density, infrastructure, and preservation.

- Believes in addressing housing affordability alongside "green and gray infrastructure" to promote livability, mobility, and neighborhood stability.
- Supports housing stabilization, zoning updates, and district-specific planning that balance density, infrastructure, and preservation.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Public safety is about more than emergency response. I support safe streets, responsive services, and community-based solutions that help residents feel secure and supported in their daily lives.

Supports safe streets, responsive services, and community-based public-safety solutions.

- Supports safe streets, responsive services, and community-based public-safety solutions.

Public Safety

As of September 10, 2026, Alexandria Anderson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Climate Sustainability

I support climate policies that protect public health and prepare District 1 for long-term resilience. That includes sustainable development, protecting green spaces, and investing in infrastructure that reduces environmental impact while supporting economic stability.

Supports sustainable development, green-space protection, and infrastructure investments intended to reduce environmental impacts.

- Supports sustainable development, green-space protection, and infrastructure investments intended to reduce environmental impacts.

Energy & the Environment

LinkedIn

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Alexandria Anderson

- Supports housing stabilization, zoning updates, and district-specific planning that balance density, infrastructure, and preservation.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Amber K. Goodwin earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences from Florida State University, a master's in social policy from St. Edwards University, and a law degree from the Mitchell Hamlin School of law.

Amber has over five years of experience working as an assistant district attorney in Travis County, Texas.

As of September 10, 2026, Amber K. Goodwin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Amber K. Goodwin

Amber K. Goodwin was a Division I student-athlete.

Amber K. Goodwin currently serves as an assistant district attorney in Travis County, Texas. She previously served as national advocacy director at GIFFORDS, founded and led Community Justice Action Fund, and co-founded the Community Violence Legal Network.

- Plans to expand small-business loans and use city-owned land for incubators and low-cost office space.
- Plans to build a skilled-trades pipeline through partnerships among Austin Community College, schools, workforce groups, and unions.
- Advocates for community-benefit agreements and local-hiring requirements for developments receiving city subsidies.
- Proposes a District 1 Economic Opportunity Fund using city resources and private philanthropy in a public-private partnership.

- Plans to explore low- and no-cost primary-care, mental-health, and reproductive-health services for District 1.
- Plans to use city incentives, land-use tools, and purchasing policies to expand access to fresh food in East Austin.
- Plans to make free mental-health services available to District 1 children through schools, community centers, homes, and partner providers.
- Plans to expand free swimming lessons and water-safety education regardless of families' income.

- Plans to prioritize eviction prevention by connecting at-risk families with legal aid, rental assistance, and mediation before displacement.

- Plans to protect and expand the Austin Office of Violence Prevention, which her campaign says she helped establish in 2019.
- Plans to fund early-intervention teams, youth employment, and after-school programs, while coordinating violence-prevention partners.
- Plans to create a public-safety dashboard reporting Austin's investments in prevention alongside enforcement.
- Plans to fully resource mobile crisis-response programs so mental-health professionals respond to mental-health calls.

- Plans to partner with Capital Metro and other providers to expand mobile health programs and transportation assistance.

- Believes infrastructure investments should use clean-energy solutions and more equitably account for neighborhood impacts.
- Plans to expand outreach on utility assistance and energy-efficiency programs for eligible District 1 residents.
- Advocates for continued investments in East Austin tree canopy and revitalization of Walter E. Long Lake and District 1 neighborhoods.

Amber K. Goodwin currently serves as an assistant district attorney in Travis County. She founded and led the Community Justice Action Fund and is a co-founder of the Community Violence Legal Network. Earlier in her career, she worked as a lead political organizer for a Justice for Janitors campaign, organized with the Texas Organizing Project, and worked in the Texas Legislature.

- Plans to expand free swimming lessons so residents can access water-safety education regardless of family income.

- Plans to prioritize eviction prevention by connecting households at risk of eviction with legal aid, rental assistance, and mediation.

- Proposes a public-safety dashboard reporting city investments in prevention alongside enforcement spending.

- Believes infrastructure investments should consider neighborhood impacts, use clean-energy solutions, and distribute burdens more equitably.

- Believes infrastructure investments should use more clean-energy solutions while considering neighborhood impacts and equitable distribution of infrastructure burdens.
- Plans to improve outreach for utility assistance and energy-efficiency programs for eligible District 1 residents.

Michael Nahas moved to Austin while in high school. Allentown, Pennsylvania had been dirty and rundown. While Michael had succeeded in school — even being tied for 6th in the entire state in mathematics — his classmates weren't accepting of his quirks and nerds weren't cool yet. In Austin, he found a clean growing city and its people were welcoming and accepting of weirdness. He made fast friends and had his best year yet.

Meet Mike

As a kid, I won a science fair, attended Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth, and tied for 6th in a state-wide math competition.

I graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame. Then, I went to the University of Virginia and earned a Master's in Computer Science. My work on the Colossus supercomputer was cited over 300 times. While looking for a job, I designed the .par2 file format.

Biography for Michael D. Nahas

In late 2013, I returned to Austin, TX to help my brother who had fractured his femur. In 2017, I received a Master's in Economics at University of Texas at Austin. Since 2018, I've worked with AURA, a non-profit focused on housing and transportation in Austin.

Michael Nahas moved to Austin while in high school. He graduated with honors from the University of Notre Dame and earned a master's degree in computer science from the University of Virginia and a master's degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin.

Economic Recommendations for Austin

In late 2013, I returned to Austin, TX to help my brother who had fractured his femur. In 2017, I received a Master's in Economics at University of Texas at Austin. Since 2018, I've worked with AURA, a non-profit focused on housing and transportation in Austin. In May 2024, I achieved my goal with AURA when City Council reduced the minimum lot size, which was driving up home prices by forcing purchasers to buy more land than they wanted.

In 2012, I returned to research and became a Visitor at the Institute for Advanced Study, where Albert Einstein worked. I helped write "Homotopy Type Theory", a book that proposed changing the foundation of mathematics from set theory to type theory.

In 2007, I became a quantitative trader for Walleye Trading LLC, also in New York, NY. I used hill-climbing with random restart to convert 16,000 linear algebra coefficients into 10 parameters of a decaying exponential, which made the calculation both faster and provably stable. My code predicted 600 stocks on a single CPU and saved the company $18,000 per day.

In 2002, I helped protect US software by researching code obfuscation with military contractor Architecture Technology Corporation in Eden Prairie, MN. In 2004, I became the 8th employee at a financial technology startup, Broadway Technology LLC, in New York, NY. I used atomic CPU operations to get exceptional performance from multi-threaded programs.

Michael works with AURA, a nonprofit focused on housing and transportation in Austin. He previously was a visitor at the Institute for Advanced Study, worked as a quantitative trader for Walleye Trading LLC, and worked at the financial technology startup Broadway Technology LLC and the military contractor Architecture Technology Corporation.

Michael works with a nonprofit focused on housing and transportation in Austin. He previously worked as a quantitative trader, at a financial technology startup  and for a military contractor 

As of September 10, 2026, Michael Nahas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

There are two good ways to make more housing available quickly.

The first is to use mass-production. We should:
● Allow manufactured and mobile homes on most land
Austin currently only has 669 lots zoned MH (Mobile Home), out of over 200,000 lots total.

Supports allowing manufactured and mobile homes on most land.

- Supports allowing manufactured and mobile homes on most land.

Michael Nahas

Advocates eliminating minimum lot sizes and making related land-use rules more permissive to allow lot splits.

Advocates eliminating minimum apartment sizes and unit-per-acre limits in multifamily zones.

Proposes eviction insurance for landlords to reduce apartment vacancies.

Misael led union fights as a state employee for increased wages and workplace safety, serves as a Board Member of Rethink35 advocating for safe, accessible transit, and is a leading voice on East Austin policy issues.

Misael Ramos for Austin District 1

Misael Ramos previously worked as a state employee.

Misael will require performance reporting for every major contract brought before Council and use his budget committee assignments to redirect funding toward proven government service providers, while strengthening coordination with Travis County, AISD, and other local partners to maximize impact. By strategically and transparently investing in evidence-backed solutions that are proven to work, rather than spending millions on consultants and contracts, Misael will make sure your tax money is working for you.

The Platform | Join the Movement Today — Misael Ramos for Austin City Council District 1

Protect legacy small businesses. East Austin’s culture lives in its restaurants, music venues, art spaces, and neighborhood businesses. In this district, Misael regularly experiences world-class musicians, eats at some of the best restaurants in the city, and supports the small businesses that make D1 the heart of Austin. Yet these artists and business owners are consistently under-supported by City officials. We must offer stabilization funds for legacy businesses facing rising rents., create financial tools and technical assistance for long-standing community businesses, ensure HOT tax dollars go toward local arts and music programming, and more.

Plans to require performance reporting on major council contracts and redirect funding toward proven government service providers.

Calls for stabilization funds, financial tools, and technical assistance for long-standing community businesses facing rising rents.

Advocated for increased wages and workplace safety as a state employee.

- Plans to require performance reporting on major council contracts and redirect funding toward proven government service providers.
- Calls for stabilization funds, financial tools, and technical assistance for long-standing community businesses facing rising rents.
- Advocated for increased wages and workplace safety as a state employee.

Expand access to healthy food. Invest in urban agriculture, food co-ops, and community-led food distribution programs so working families can access healthy, affordable food.

Build and protect neighborhood parks in District 1. Protect and expand neighborhood parks in District 1 so every family has safe access to green space.

Support arts, youth programming, and public gathering spaces. Culture needs places to grow. We must cultivate a Black revival of East Austin rooted in ownership, dignity, and opportunity. Let’s update and expand the Millennium Youth Complex into a modernized space for families and kids in East Austin. We have the opportunity to nurture and invest in community events, music, and cultural festivals in D1.

Calls for investment in urban agriculture, food cooperatives, and community-led food-distribution programs.

Calls for protecting and expanding District 1 neighborhood parks.

Plans to modernize and expand the Millennium Youth Complex for East Austin families and children.

- Calls for investment in urban agriculture, food cooperatives, and community-led food-distribution programs.
- Calls for protecting and expanding District 1 neighborhood parks.
- Plans to modernize and expand the Millennium Youth Complex for East Austin families and children.

Misael will bring his experience as an affordable developer to City Hall, championing the strategies that make homeownership accessible for working people, including collaboration and investment to scale up the successes of Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and Community Land Trusts. These strategies work for District 1 due to a special tax status and innovative land trust model that addresses the primary barriers to affordable homeownership. Misael will direct increased City funding to CDCs already doing this effective work on the ground in District 1, like the Blackland Community Development Corporation.

Misael will direct increased City funding to CDCs already doing this effective work on the ground in District 1, like the Blackland Community Development Corporation. Finally, by expanding access to technical assistance and training for trusted community-based partners, Misael willscale-up community land trusts throughout District 1 neighborhoodsso that non-profits and neighbors can keep their communities affordable by preserving and building truly affordable homes.

With his background in affordable housing development, Misael knows that intentional development decisions can stabilize property taxes while , triggering rising costs for surrounding homeowners, renters, and local business owners. Misael will put community engagement and affordability first to ensure that development decisions prioritize affordability and stabilize property taxes, rather than causing sudden tax spikes and traumatic displacement for East Austin residents and businesses.

We must require meaningful community engagement before major developments are approved. Development should reflect the will of the community, not just the interests of developers.

Protect historic neighborhoods from speculative development. We can preserve historic homes and expand protections for Black historic districts. Offer funding for longtime East Austin residents to support repairs, stabilization, small business loans, and generational wealth retention.

Misael also knows from experience that affordable developers in Austin face fees and costly time constraints that come along with the permitting process. Misael will streamline permitting for affordable developers producing truly affordable homes for middle to low income families looking to rent or own and work to ensure that development projects receiving public funds or incentives include truly affordable homeownership opportunities.

Having personally supported elders in his neighborhood to navigate exemptions and existing assistance programs, Misael understands the impact of high property taxes on low- & middle- income Austinites. Misael will prioritize property tax relief by bringing together public and philanthropic partners to scale-up funding for local organizations that provide tax assistance to homeowners burdened with high property taxes that put their generational wealth at risk, and the District 1 office will spearhead public outreach to ensure that District 1 residents are informed of all existing public and non-profit resources to navigate tax exemptions and assistance.

Misael will fight to fix housing development programs that give incentives to private developers while offering little affordability and protect Austin’s most affordable apartments by requiring that private developers replace any affordable units impacted at the same rental rate.

Plans to increase city funding for Community Development Corporations, including the Blackland Community Development Corporation.

Plans to expand community land trusts in District 1 to preserve and build affordable homes.

Plans to require meaningful community engagement before major developments and prioritize affordability in development decisions.

Plans to protect historic neighborhoods from speculative development.

Plans to streamline permitting for affordable-housing developers and require projects receiving public incentives to include affordable homeownership opportunities.

Plans to expand funding and outreach for property-tax assistance and exemptions for District 1 homeowners.

Plans to reform development incentives and require replacement of affected affordable apartments at the same rental rate.

- Plans to increase city funding for Community Development Corporations, including the Blackland Community Development Corporation.
- Plans to expand community land trusts in District 1 to preserve and build affordable homes.
- Plans to require meaningful community engagement before major developments and prioritize affordability in development decisions.
- Plans to protect historic neighborhoods from speculative development.
- Plans to streamline permitting for affordable-housing developers and require projects receiving public incentives to include affordable homeownership opportunities.
- Plans to expand funding and outreach for property-tax assistance and exemptions for District 1 homeowners.
- Plans to reform development incentives and require replacement of affected affordable apartments at the same rental rate.

In the name of fiscal responsibility and a commitment to real public safety outcomes, the City must put the brakes on the ever-increasing police budget, and instead creatively divert funds to evidence-based solutions that are proven to prevent violence, including community violence interventions, harm reduction, and equipped alternative responders in cases of emergency.

Defend Our Immigrant Neighbors & Kick ICE Out of Austin. In this critical time for our City to show leadership in the face of escalating attacks on our immigrant neighbors’ livelihoods and rights, Misael will ensure the City uses its power to safeguard and support our neighbors, our right to protest, and our dignity. Our communities deserve supportive services, transparency regarding collaboration with ICE, and leaders that stand up to state overreach.

Calls for limiting police-budget growth and redirecting funds to violence-prevention, programs that reduce harm, and alternative emergency responders.

Plans to use city authority to safeguard immigrant residents and the right to protest.

- Calls for limiting police-budget growth and redirecting funds to violence-prevention, programs that reduce harm, and alternative emergency responders.
- Plans to use city authority to safeguard immigrant residents and the right to protest.

Make District 1 a Hub for Safe, Fast Bus & Bike. We have the opportunity to expand rapid bus service, improve frequency and reliability, invest in safer sidewalks, shade, and protected bike lanes so D1 becomes a true hub for accessible, reliable transit.

Support alternatives to highway expansion that harms East Austin communities. Let’s invest in community-informed transportation options that connect neighborhoods, rather than dividing them.

Plans to expand rapid bus service and invest in safer sidewalks, shade, and protected bike lanes.

Supports transportation alternatives to highway expansion that connect neighborhoods rather than divide them.

- Plans to expand rapid bus service and invest in safer sidewalks, shade, and protected bike lanes.
- Supports transportation alternatives to highway expansion that connect neighborhoods rather than divide them.

Build Community-Owned Resilience. Fund community-operated cooling centers and resilience hubs that keep residents safe during extreme heat and climate emergencies. East Austin has fewer trees, more heat, and aging infrastructure. Climate change is already here and frontline communities feel it first. We must plan effectively and collaborate authentically with community partners for a healthy, green, and climate resilient District 1.

Expand the tree canopy and invest in flood mitigation. Prioritize tree planting, stormwater upgrades, and green infrastructure in heat-vulnerable and historically underserved neighborhoods.

Calls for funding community-operated cooling centers and resilience hubs for extreme heat and climate emergencies.

Calls for tree planting, stormwater upgrades, and green infrastructure in heat-vulnerable and historically underserved neighborhoods.

- Calls for funding community-operated cooling centers and resilience hubs for extreme heat and climate emergencies.
- Calls for tree planting, stormwater upgrades, and green infrastructure in heat-vulnerable and historically underserved neighborhoods.

Misael Ramos

- Advocated for increased wages and workplace safety as a state employee.

- Plans to streamline permitting for affordable-housing developers and require projects receiving public incentives to include affordable homeownership opportunities.
- Plans to expand funding and outreach for property-tax assistance and exemptions for District 1 homeowners.
- Plans to reform development incentives and require replacement of affected affordable apartments at the same rental rate.

- Plans to use city authority to safeguard immigrant residents and the right to protest.

Mauricio Mendez

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Portia Riggins, a third-generation Austinite born and raised in East Austin, and my work is rooted in community, leadership, financial accountability, and public service.

The Model & Digital Creator Who Chose the Community: How Hometown Influence Shaped Portia Riggins’ Path to Austin City Council District 1

I am currently completing associate degrees in both General Studies and Business Administration, with a strong focus on accounting and finance. My educational and professional experiences give me a practical understanding of budgeting, financial transparency, and responsible resource management.

Portia Riggins is a third-generation Austinite who was born and raised in East Austin. She is completing associate degrees in general studies and business administration, focusing on accounting and finance.

How Hometown Influence Shaped Portia Riggins' Path to Austin City ...

Portia Riggins is completing or has earned an associate degrees in general studies and business administration from Austin Community College.

One of my businesses is called #WhatModelsWant, furthermore my networking contacts reaches many metropolitan areas, I know some of the most powerful natives of Austin, Tx that are my mentors, I’ve hosted and produced numerous stars studded events, I’ve been heavily involve with giving back to the local community and so much more. I look to join politics one day, but as for now my focuses will be help building the community and economy to succeed through this pandemic step by step. Now, I’m launching my newest business venture, and you guys E-ffordable Tax LLC is my tax preparation business that will be reliable, credible, and luxury filled. Our mission is to have a successful tax business providing tax filing, accounting, bookkeeping, financial services/ understanding; while also hitting sales goals, and financial metrics.

Inspiring Conversations with Portia Riggins of E-ffordable Tax LLC

Professionally, I bring a background in accounting, finance, administration, and community engagement. I have worked in accounts receivable and financial operations, reviewing large volumes of documentation and ensuring financial records were accurate, compliant, and properly uploaded into system databases. I helped reconcile discrepancies, clean up backlogged accounts, and support organizations in strengthening their financial processes and reporting.

My work required attention to detail, data accuracy, and integrity—skills that are essential in both business and public service. I also supported appraisal and data review in the public sector, ensuring that records and property information were aligned and verified.

I never left east Austin
and understand

displacement, mobility, challenges and opportunity gaps many families face. I worked at HEB for five
years, starting as a teenager, and I'm currently studying finance and accounting at Austin community
college. Attending meetings and forums across Austin motivated me to study local government and
budgeting so I can lead with knowledge and accountability.

City Council Regular Meeting Transcript – 2/26/2026

Portia owns E-ffordable Tax LLC, a tax preparation business. She has worked in accounts receivable and financial operations and supported appraisal and data review in the public sector. She also worked at HEB.

Portia owns a tax preparation business. She has experience in accounting, finance, administration, and community engagement.

I believe in transparent budgeting and equitable resource distribution. As someone with an accounting background, I want every resident to know where their tax dollars are going and to see measurable outcomes in their daily lives.

VOTE NOV 3RD 2026 — Portia Riggins for Austin City Council District 1

Supports transparent budgeting and equitable resource distribution so residents can see how tax dollars are used.

- Supports transparent budgeting and equitable resource distribution so residents can see how tax dollars are used.

My focus is responsible budgeting,
strong infrastructure, housing stability, effective innovation, mobility, mental health and economic
opportunity. I am committed to engaging in every zip code in district one, so every voice is heard and
represented.

Commits to engaging residents in every District 1 ZIP code so every voice is heard and represented.

Commits to engaging residents in every District 1 ZIP code so "every voice is heard and represented."

- Commits to engaging residents in every District 1 ZIP code so "every voice is heard and represented."

Attending meetings and forums across Austin motivated me to study local government and
budgeting so I can lead with knowledge and accountability. Ciy council decisions about budgeting and
infrastructure directly impacts affordability, mobility and opportunity. Austin. As Austin grows,
leadership must focus on results and completion, not just ideas. My focus is responsible budgeting,
strong infrastructure, housing stability, effective innovation, mobility, mental health and economic
opportunity.

I never planned to lead, but when I saw problems
not being addressed, I stepped up to advocate. Advocating for my sister after incarceration showed me
the importance of mental health and reentry support. Advocating for my mother, who is deaf and hard
of hearing, showed me the need for accessible health care and communication.

I focus on real outcomes in areas such as affordability, housing stability, public safety, youth opportunity, and equitable access to services. I also work closely with youth-focused and community-based organizations because I believe prevention, mentorship, and economic opportunity are key to long-term community growth.

Supports mental-health and reentry support for people after incarceration.

Believes prevention, mentorship, and economic opportunity are key to long-term community growth.

- Supports mental-health and reentry support for people after incarceration.
- Believes prevention, mentorship, and economic opportunity are key to long-term community growth.

Prioritizes strong infrastructure and mobility.

- Prioritizes strong infrastructure and mobility.

As of September 10, 2026, Portia Riggins did not have a website or any information online.

Portia Riggins

As of September 10, 2026, Portia Riggins’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Connects residents with institutions, nonprofits, and businesses to help resources reach intended communities.

I was born and raised right here in East Austin — a lifelong resident of District 1. I attended Norman Elementary, Blanton Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Kealing Middle School, and LBJ High School, and graduated from Austin Community College, Huston-Tillotson University, and Texas State University, where I'm currently pursuing my Master of Science degree.

About Steven Brown | Austin City Council District 1

I was raised by my loving parents and great-grandmother, and I've raised my two sons here as well. I know firsthand the challenges families face in Austin today — whether it's rising costs, access to affordable housing, or feeling unheard by local government.

Steven Brown is originally from East Austin. He graduated from Austin Community College, Huston-Tillotson University, and Texas State University and is pursuing a Master of Science degree at Texas State University. He has raised two sons.

For over 20 years, I've served Austin as a trusted healthcare professional, working with people from all walks of life to solve complex problems. That experience taught me the power of teamwork, empathy, and accountability — values I will bring to the Austin City Council.

Steven Brown works as a healthcare professional in Austin.

Steven works as a healthcare professional in Austin.

But several other organizations, including business groups like the Austin Chamber and the Real Estate Council of Austin, oppose the measure, citing the impacts on families already struggling to make ends meet.

Steven Brown, a board member with the Save Austin Now PAC, said his group agrees these issues need to be addressed but that putting it on the backs of taxpayers isn't the way forward.

What is Prop Q in Austin election, and what would it fund? | KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station

Steven Brown, a board member with the Save Austin Now PAC, said his group agrees these issues need to be addressed but that putting it on the backs of taxpayers isn't the way forward.

“We want to work with the city to come up with new solutions and come up with a more fiscally responsible budget,” Brown said. “We have families being forced to choose between putting their kids in afterschool programs or giving their money to the city of Austin to solve problems they might never see happen.”

Putting a bond before voters comes as residents and advocates have raised concerns about the city’s spending.
East side resident Steven Brown, who is running for the District 1 City Council seat, said he would not support a bond at this point in time. He felt the council was being fiscally irresponsible and there was a lack of trust, citing the pushback over the Project Connect tax.

Austin leaders might ask voters to approve a tax increase, again | KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station

He said after voters clearly rejected Prop Q, there needs to be a "healthy conversation" about the city's future before asking taxpayers for more money.
"To me it doesn't show how serious the city is about [the impacts on] working families and [addressing] affordability," Brown said. "I'm not saying that these investments wouldn't have benefits. But before any projects are done, we need to make sure families are stable."

2
Workers, Taxes, & Economic Justice

Fighting for living wages on city contracts and local hiring practices, while making sure city tax policies put D1 working families first.

Platform | Steven Brown for Austin City Council District 1

Opposes additional city tax increases and a new bond at this time, calling for a more fiscally responsible budget before seeking more taxpayer funding.

Advocates for living wages on city contracts, local hiring practices, and city tax policies that prioritize District 1 working families.

- Opposes additional city tax increases and a new bond at this time, calling for a more fiscally responsible budget before seeking more taxpayer funding.
- Advocates for living wages on city contracts, local hiring practices, and city tax policies that prioritize District 1 working families.

3
Education, Youth, & Family Investment

Directing real, measurable city dollars into D1's school infrastructure, parks, libraries, and after-school programs, so our kids can thrive in the neighborhoods they call home.

We have worked with the City to advocate for community priorities, including a new pool, upgraded playgrounds, and multipurpose fields. In June 2026, I testified before the Austin Parks and Recreation Board to urge funding for the reopening of Givens Recreation Center and its historic community kitchen. They said no, which has led to launching my "Reopen Givens Kitchen" petition, because the kitchen is not just an amenity — it is a vital cultural space for food access, community gathering, and neighborhood power.

District 1 residents have been locked out of decisions that affect their lives. Steven is RECLAIMING community power. He's committing to community advisory boards, transparent public forums, and direct resident input on projects that affect D1. When the community decides, we all win.

Plans to direct city funding to District 1 school infrastructure, parks, libraries, and after-school programs.

Called for city funding to reopen the historic community kitchen at Givens Recreation Center.

Commits to community advisory boards, transparent public forums, and resident input on District 1 projects.

- Plans to direct city funding to District 1 school infrastructure, parks, libraries, and after-school programs.
- Called for city funding to reopen the historic community kitchen at Givens Recreation Center.
- Commits to community advisory boards, transparent public forums, and resident input on District 1 projects.

Growth that doesn't lift up District 1 residents isn't progress — it's DISPLACEMENT. Steven is fighting for development that pays living wages, includes affordable housing, respects D1's character and history, and keeps working families rooted in the communities they build.

1
Housing Affordability & Anti-Displacement

Keeping long-term residents, renters, and seniors in the community they built — not pricing them out with unchecked development.

Defending Affordability

Beginning in 2023, I started raising early concerns about the lack of transparency around the HOME initiative through my advocacy on the Givens Park Advisory Board and with local East Side churches. In 2024, I spoke at City Hall against HOME Phases 1 and 2. In 2025, I opposed Proposition Q, standing with District 1 residents who felt it moved too quickly without enough time, outreach, or clear information for the communities most affected.

Advocates for affordable housing development that pays living wages and prevents displacement of long-term residents, renters, and seniors.

Opposed Austin's HOME Phases 1 and 2 after raising concerns about the initiative's transparency.

- Advocates for affordable housing development that pays living wages and prevents displacement of long-term residents, renters, and seniors.
- Opposed Austin's HOME Phases 1 and 2 after raising concerns about the initiative's transparency.

Steven Brown

- City council members collaborate to create and enforce city policies, including legislation on essential services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and utilities.
- They work alongside the mayor to manage city departments, including transportation and parks and recreation.
- Council members can be elected to represent specific districts or the entire city at-large.
- The structure of city councils, including the number of members, their terms, term limits, and partisanship, differs by county.

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Austin City Council Member, District 1

Candidates (6)