Austin District 8 Candidates to Face Off in November

Selena Xie and Jeffery Bowen are competing for the open City Council seat this November.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in City Hall

Austin District 8 Candidates to Face Off in November

Live Poll

Do you support the proposed local bond initiatives for city parks and libraries?

Candidates Selena Xie and Jeffery Bowen are vying for the Austin City Council District 8 seat in the upcoming November 2026 election. The race follows the disqualification of Paige Ellis in August after she failed to meet signature requirements.

Why it matters

The election outcomes will shape local policy for over 99,000 residents in West and Southwest Austin. Voters will determine the future of affordable housing development and approve or reject significant infrastructure bonds.

District 8 includes nearly 1,500 affordable housing units, representing 20% of its total goal, while the median home price sits at $680,000. Voters will decide on a $260 million park bond and a $35 million library bond.

The players

Selena Xie

She is a candidate running for the Austin City Council seat representing District 8.

Jeffery Bowen

He is a candidate running for the Austin City Council seat representing District 8.

Paige Ellis

She is a former candidate who failed to qualify for the District 8 ballot.

The details

Candidates recently discussed city spending and policy challenges, including how to boost affordable housing in an area limited by high land costs and environmentally sensitive terrain. The city recently increased its tax revenue by 3.5% ahead of these ballot decisions.

August 2026: Paige Ellis failed to secure the required signatures for the ballot.
September 2026: Candidates participated in a KUT forum.
November 2026: The District 8 City Council election and bond referendum occur.

Political Context

Opposition groups have raised concerns regarding the city's 3.5% tax revenue increase, arguing that property tax burdens are unsustainable for homeowners. Critics of current housing policies emphasize that limited development on environmentally sensitive land contributes to housing costs.

Residents will decide the fate of $295 million in new debt tied to infrastructure projects that could influence local property tax rates. The outcome will also establish the city's approach to closing the gap on the remaining 80% of the district's affordable housing goal.

The takeaway

Voters should review the specific financial implications of the proposed park and library bonds before heading to the polls. Monitoring the candidates' housing platforms provides insight into how the district might address the current $680,000 median home price.

What happens next

The District 8 City Council election and the associated $260 million park bond and $35 million library bond referendum are scheduled for November 2026.