Austin Council Member Ellen Troxclair Won't Seek Another Term

AUSTIN, TX — Ellen Troxclair, the sole convervative voice on the Austin City Council dais, won't seek a second term, she said in a Wednesday afternoon news release.

“The decision on whether seek another term has been an incredibly difficult one because I believe so passionately in the work with which my constituents have entrusted me,” she wrote. “I can leave knowing that I accomplished what I set out to do — serve as an advocate for my district, a voice of reason, a fiscal watchdog, an unwavering voice for lowering the cost of living, and a representative of the average Austinite who often feels overlooked at City Hall.”

District 8 council member Troxclair didn't provide a reason for her imminent departure. Since the defeat of fellow conservatives Don Zimmerman and Sherri Gallo last year — both of whom were replaced with more progressive voices — Torxclair has emerged as the sole remaining conservative on the council dais.

Troxclair is a real estate agent by trade and once worked as an aide to Rep. Jason Isaac, a Republican from Dripping Springs.

The council member's seat on the dais is still warm, yet contenders already have started to emerge in jockeying for it. Paige Ellis, the current campaign fundraising leader vying for the seat, wasted no time in having an aide send along a prepared statement to Patch outlining her bona fides in the wake of Troxclair's surprise announcement.

“This is a change election year and, now that there will be no incumbent in this race, our community has an opportunity to elect someone like myself who is not a city hall insider,” Ellis wrote. "I bring qualified professional experience and community involvement to the table and, thanks to wide grassroots support, our campaign will report strong financial numbers next week.”

“I look forward to a spirited campaign and I invite voters to learn more about my campaign on Facebook/PaigeForAustin and at PaigeForAustin.org,” Ellis added helpfully.

Elected to public office in 2014, Troxclair is the youngest woman to ever serve on the Austin City Council. In addition to her role at City Hall, she manages a successful residential real estate business and is a founding partner of Luxe Property Group, according to a biography on the municipal website.

After graduating with a degree in business from the University of Texas, she began a decade long career in public policy, according to her bio. In her capacity at the state Capitol she worked with constituents, local municipalities, state agencies, and interest groups in researching and developing effective policy on a vast array of issues. She played an integral role in crafting statewide legislation on topics such as improving our education system, assisting veterans, providing reliable water infrastructure, ensuring election integrity, and truth in budgeting and taxation, her biography reads

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>>> Photo of Ellen Troxclair via City of Austin website