Austin Council Member Casar Opts Not To Run For Senate Seat

AUSTIN, TX — Austin City Council member Greg Casar said Monday he's decided not to run for the Senate District 14 seat recently vacated by Sen. Kirk Watson in order to continue focusing on local issues in the midst of the new coronavirus pandemic.

"After rigorous conversations with family, friends, and colleagues, I’ve decided not to run for SD14," Casar said in a prepared statement. "Simply put: I love my job as council member. We have the responsibility to save lives as top state leadership fails us and there is unfinished business before us. This is the work I feel most called to do in this time of crisis. It is where I know I can do the most good."

Casar in March expressed his interest in running for the seat vacated by Watson, who announced plans to step down the previous month to accept a role as inaugural dean of the University of Houston Hobby School for Public Affairs.

Of late, Casar has been insrtrumental in protecting residents from the corrosive economic effects of the new coronavirus outbreak, voting on safeguards such as an anti-eviction ordinance at a time of business slowdown as many employees are furloughed in the wake of work stoppages.

“We live in a time of great uncertainty," Casar said. "We are in the midst of a global pandemic, we face the looming threat of an economic recession, and there are federal elections that will determine the fate of our nation for generations to come. Locally, we are protecting families and saving lives from COVID-19. We are holding corporate landlords accountable so that people don’t lose their homes, and we are focused on public health, not on public perception, during this pandemic."

Related stories:

• Austin Council Member Casar Eyeing Texas Senate District 14 Seat
• State Sen. Kirk Watson To Resign From Senate For Academic Role

And yet, with all the accomplishments to protect residents, much work lies ahead as health officials predict a second wave of illness. Gov. Greg Abbott last week ordered the partial reopening of the state economy that has virtually ground to a halt amid business closings implemented to promote physical distancing to blunt illness spread. Many fear the move may usher in a second wave of illness spread, perceiving the partial reopening as too early without measurable illness decrease.

Austin City Council member Greg Casar listens to a speaker during a February 2018 rally ahead of a vote on an ordinance mandating paid sick leave for of local employers — making Austin the first city in the U.S. passing such a measure. Citing government interference in the private sector, Gov. Greg Abbott later orchestrated a superceding state law negating the local move. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

"In addition to protecting Austin from the pandemic, our city has major unfinished business," Casar said. "The housing crisis must be addressed. Progressives must be at the forefront of the economic recovery from COVID, and we must put in place a once-in-a-lifetime transit plan that addresses transportation, climate change, and green jobs in a massive way. All of these things deserve my full attention for the time being, because we have to get this right."

In his prepared statement, Casar took time to personally address his friends and supporters: "Thank you for all the overwhelming encouragement to run for higher office you’ve given me over the last couple of months. It means the world to me to have so much support. We have a lot of work ahead of us in 2020 and beyond, so let’s get to work.”

Before confirming his decision not to run for Watson's old seat, Casar filed a treasurer's report ahead of a possible run. "On the first day on the job, our next state Senator must be ready to fight for the many Texans trying to make ends meet," Casar said at the time. "Texans want our state leaders to expand Medicaid, legalize marijuana, and support working people instead of corporate special interests. For that, we're going to need a fighter who isn't afraid to speak truth to power and get things done. I am strongly considering a run for this seat and will make an announcement about my decision in the coming days."

On the council dais, Casar has distinguished himself for a penchant on prioritizing social justice issues — equity, shared prosperity, affordability, environmental stewardship, public safety and other matters. Since taking office, his biography reads, he has worked to ensure North Austin families have a seat at the table as it relates to City Hall accessibility.

During his first term, he helped organize the first tenants associations at mobile home parks in Austin — both located in District 4— to galvanize residents against unlawful actions in their community that often led to evictions. Additionally, the councilman has sponsored and passed over a dozen major housing initiatives aimed at keeping working-class and middle-class people in Austin.