Austin Council Member Casar Eyeing Texas Senate District 14 Seat

AUSTIN, TX — Austin City Council member Greg Casar on Monday took the first, tentative steps toward securing the newly vacated Texas Senate District 14 set to be vacated by Sen. Kirk Watson.

To that end, Casar said he filed a treasurer's report for Watson's old post. Listed as his treasurer is Aimee Arrambide, a leader in Texas' reproductive justice movement and the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas. Arrambide is serving as Casar’s treasurer only in her personal capacity, Casar noted.

“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 in a prepared statement. “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.”

Related story: State Sen. Kirk Watson To Resign From Senate For Academic Role

Added Arrambide: "Greg is exactly the kind of effective progressive Texas needs in the Senate. As a member of the city council, Greg has passed dozens of policies to advance workers' rights, abortion access, housing justice, and more — and he's never backed down from his progressive values. As a young Latino and the son of Mexican immigrants, he represents the future of the Democratic Party in Texas. I truly hope Greg decides to run!"

First elected in 2014, Casar is the youngest city council member in Austin’s history and serves as District 4’s first-ever direct representative, according to a city-provided biography. A native Texan born of Mexican immigrants, he currently is representing District 4 for a second term.

On the 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.

The state senate seat Casar is eyeing will be vacant after Kirk announced he was stepping down to accept a position as the inaugural dean at the University of Houston Hobby School for Public Affairs. The former mayor of Austin has held the seat since first being elected in 2006.