AUSTIN, Texas — 2024 is an election year, and candidates for various positions are already putting their names in the ring.
That includes the upcoming race to be Austin's mayor – and a familiar face will be on November's ballot.
On Wednesday, former Austin City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo announced her intention to run for mayor of Austin.
Tovo will likely be one of many challengers facing off against current Mayor Kirk Watson, who has indicated that he plans to run for reelection.
Tovo most recently served on the Austin City Council, representing District 9 from 2011 to 2023. She highlighted her experience as a councilmember in her campaign announcement.
"I'm still committed to these same progressive values: equity, honest government and standing up for women, workers, immigrants and our LGBTQIA+ community," she said in a statement. "You can also count on me to fight against bad plans like the I-35 expansion and the State's attacks on our local freedoms."
Prior to her political career, Tovo received a Ph.D from the University of Texas at Austin and started the Bouldin Creek Community Development Corporation.
While on the council, she led committees on Public Health, Audit and Finance and Austin Energy Utility Oversight. She also created the Sobering Center, worked as chair of the Membership Council of the Ending Homelessness Community Coalition and served with the Austin Police Retirement Board.
Tovo currently works as an adjunct faculty member at UT Austin.
Tovo, Watson and any other candidates can officially file to run for office in July.