AUSTIN, Texas — In addition to the presidential race, Texas Senate race and many others, voters in Austin have another major contest to consider: the race for mayor.
Current Mayor Kirk Watson appeared to narrowly avoid a runoff with 100% of precincts reporting holding 50.01% of the vote.
Watson delivered a speech on Tuesday night as he led the race against four challengers: former Austin City Council member Kathie Tovo, community organizer Carmen Llanes Pulido, interfaith organizer Doug Greco and construction company owner Jeff Bowen.
As the polls close, you can check this article for live, up-to-the-minute election results and race updates. Here are the latest results:
More on Kirk Watson
Watson officially announced his reelection campaign in April and filed his paperwork to appear on this year's ballot in July. He has served his current term since the start of last year. And if he's reelected, he'll continue to serve as Austin's mayor until 2029.
In his campaign announcement, Watson said since starting his role in 2023, he helped the city by adding housing reforms, filling empty positions within the Austin Police Department, launching the Austin Infrastructure Academy, and working to help the city's homelessness concerns.
If Watson is reelected, he said he wants to make climate change response more of a priority by closing down part of Austin Energy's Fayette Power Plant.
In 1997, Watson was elected to his first term as Austin's mayor. He was reelected twice and served in the role until 2001. Watson was elected to the Texas Senate in 2006 and served as a state senator for 13 years before retiring to become the first dean of the University of Houston’s Hobby School of Public Affairs.
In the November 2022 general election, Watson advanced to a runoff against former State Rep. Celia Israel in the Austin mayoral race. Watson won the runoff in December 2022 and was sworn in as mayor of Austin for a second time on Jan. 6, 2023.
Watson attended Baylor University and "proudly holds an honorary degree from Austin Community College," according to his campaign website.