Austin ISD Voters to Choose Candidates for Five Seats
Thirteen candidates are vying for spots on the Austin school board in the upcoming November election.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Administration
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Thirteen candidates are competing for five open seats on the Austin Independent School District board. Residents will cast their ballots across districts 1, 4, 6, 7 and the at-large position 9.
Why it matters
The election determines the leadership overseeing the district's policies and administration. These positions play a critical role in shaping the educational environment and priorities for students in Austin.
A total of 13 candidates are running for 5 board seats, which include specific district representations and one at-large position. These seats span districts 1, 4, 6, 7 and at-large position 9.
The players
Candace Hunter
She is a candidate competing for the District 1 seat on the school board.
Cheryl Bradley
She is a candidate vying for the District 1 seat representing the community.
Jessica Neufeld
She is one of the candidates running for the District 4 school board seat.
Laurie Solis
She is a candidate running to represent the District 7 seat on the board.
Cynthia Soliz
She is a candidate seeking election for the at-large position 9 seat.
The details
Candidates for the board seats include Candace Hunter and Cheryl Bradley for District 1, and Edward M. Bradfield, Tricia Mitchell Kim, and Jessica Neufeld for District 4. Sarah Dille, Marie Lebron, and Alex San Martin seek the District 6 seat, while Jimmy Counihan and Laurie Solis face off in District 7, and Kirk Becker, Pamela Mathai, and Cynthia Soliz run for at-large position 9.
Timeline
Early voting concludes on October 30, 2026.
Election Day takes place on November 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
This election follows the standard administrative cycle dictated by the Texas Education Code's governance requirements for public school district boards. The transition of these seats reflects broader trends in local civic engagement and district leadership oversight.
Residents can influence the future of their local schools by participating in early voting before the October 30 deadline. Voters should review their specific district assignment to identify which candidates will appear on their ballots.
The takeaway
Voters are encouraged to research the platforms of all 13 candidates to understand their priorities for Austin schools. Participating in both early voting and Election Day ensures that community voices are reflected in the final selection of board members.
What happens next
Early voting concludes on October 30, 2026, and Election Day is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local governance, visit the Austin Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KXAN.
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