Xie and Bowen to Compete for District 8 Seat
Austin voters will choose a new council representative in the upcoming election on November 3, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Should local candidates prioritize cutting current budget waste before requesting new tax increases from residents?
Selena Xie and Jeffery Bowen are running to fill the open District 8 seat on the Austin City Council. Voters in the southwest Austin district, which includes areas like Circle C Ranch and Zilker Park, will head to the polls on November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
The race is for an open seat currently held by Paige Ellis, with no incumbent running to retain the position. The winner will serve a four-year term on the 10-member City Council, which oversees a budget heavily weighted toward public safety.
Approximately 70% of the city budget is currently allocated to public safety. Each council member serves a four-year term.
The players
Selena Xie
She is an Austin-Travis County EMS commander who previously led the agency's union for six years.
Jeffery Bowen
He is a construction management expert who previously served as president of the Austin Neighborhoods Council and ran for mayor.
Paige Ellis
She is the current officeholder for the District 8 seat who is not seeking reelection.
The details
Selena Xie is leveraging 14 years of experience at Austin-Travis County EMS, including six years as the union president, to emphasize public safety. Opponent Jeffery Bowen, a construction management expert and former Austin Neighborhoods Council president, is campaigning on critiques of current council leadership and responsiveness.
Timeline
The election for the District 8 seat is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The race operates within the framework of Austin's 10-1 council district system, which aims to ensure geographic representation across the city. Opposition to this election's candidates often centers on whether specific council members provide enough responsiveness to neighborhood-level concerns.
The winner of this seat will directly influence the distribution of the city budget, 70% of which is currently tied to public safety. Residents in District 8, including those in the Barton Springs Greenbelt area, will be represented by the new council member for the next four years.
The takeaway
Voters should review the candidates' professional backgrounds in EMS and neighborhood management to understand their respective priorities for the district. The open seat provides an opportunity for constituents to shift the representation of southwest Austin for a full four-year term.
What happens next
The election for the District 8 seat will take place on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local government, visit the City Hall section.
Live Poll
Should local candidates prioritize cutting current budget waste before requesting new tax increases from residents?
