Edwin Bautista
Edwin Bautista ran for election to the Austin City Council to represent District 7 in Texas. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Bautista completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Edwin Bautista was born in Wichita Falls, Texas. Bautista's career experience includes working as an urban planner. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020 and a graduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2023. Bautista has been affiliated with the American Institute of Certified Planners.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in Austin, Texas (2024)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Austin City Council District 7
Mike Siegel defeated Gary Bledsoe in the general runoff election for Austin City Council District 7 on December 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mike Siegel (Nonpartisan)  | 51.2 | 4,420 |
 | Gary Bledsoe (Nonpartisan) | 48.8 | 4,211 | |
| Total votes: 8,631 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for Austin City Council District 7
The following candidates ran in the general election for Austin City Council District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mike Siegel (Nonpartisan) | 39.8 | 13,681 |
| ✔ | | Gary Bledsoe (Nonpartisan) | 19.3 | 6,624 |
 | Pierre Nguyen (Nonpartisan) | 14.9 | 5,110 | |
 | Adam Powell (Nonpartisan) | 11.1 | 3,828 | |
 | Todd Shaw (Nonpartisan) | 8.7 | 2,973 | |
 | Edwin Bautista (Nonpartisan) | 6.2 | 2,135 | |
| Total votes: 34,351 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Daniel Dominguez (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bautista in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Edwin Bautista completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bautista's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
My journey into public service started at the University of Texas, where I earned a B.A. in Urban Studies and an M.S. in Community and Regional Planning. During my time at UT, I saw firsthand the devastating effects of gentrification and displacement, which fueled my passion for civic engagement and equitable community development.
Throughout my career, I’ve focused on creating meaningful and lasting change. At Texas Housers, I supported the nonprofit's mission of advocating for low-income housing policy at the local and state level. As a Planner at GrantWorks, I’m helping rural communities across Texas strengthen their resilience through comprehensive planning.
Community engagement is at the core of what I do. I’ve served on the city's College Student Commission, where I advocated for affordable student housing. I’ve also served on the Community Review Panel for Project Connect’s Anti-Displacement initiative that helps guides millions in funding to prevent displacement near proposed transit routes.
As the son of immigrants, a member of the LGBTQ+ community and Generation Z - I understand the power of inclusive governance. I’m committed to representing Austin’s diverse population and driving forward policies that ensure equitable urban development, greater civic participation and economic opportunities for all Austinites.- Austin’s affordable housing crisis demands bold, innovative action, and I’m ready to lead that effort. Having personally benefited from local affordable housing policy, I know its life-changing impact.
If elected, I will champion initiatives to identify new opportunities for sustainable development, cost-effective construction and innovative financing models that put affordability within reach. I’ll work closely with government agencies, nonprofits and private partners to create scalable, lasting solutions.
Additionally, I will push for stronger tenant rights and fair housing policies to ensure Austinites can access safe, affordable housing without fear of displacement. - Austin has always led the way in innovation and progressive change, and I’m committed to pushing this legacy forward with bold governance reforms. I believe in streamlining decision-making and enhancing representation to better serve all Austinites. That’s why I’ll propose shifting to a Strong-Mayor System, making the Mayor the chief executive to directly oversee policy administration. I'll also push to restructure the Council, consolidating 10 districts into 5, each electing one district and one at-large representative—to enable diverse voices and citywide perspectives. I'll also champion oversight mechanisms to prevent the over-centralization of power as well as ensure accountability and transparency.
- Austin’s future depends on revolutionizing community engagement with inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration at its core. To build a city that truly reflects the diverse voices and aspirations of all Austinites, I will champion a holistic approach to civic participation. If elected, I will work to establish an Office of Community Engagement that actively connects residents with city government through accessible forums, multilingual resources and digital tools to break down barriers. I will also push to reform boards and commissions to ensure they reflect Austin's diversity and are empowered to tackle pressing local issues.
I’m also deeply committed to community engagement; I believe that all Austinites should have a say in shaping our city's future. Transportation and mobility are crucial, too—I'm an advocate for transit solutions that are accessible, efficient and environmentally friendly.
As the body responsible for local ordinances, land use, budgeting and public policy, it directly impacts residents’ daily lives in ways state or federal governments often do not. This office has the power to influence vital issues like affordable housing, transportation and environmental sustainability, all within a local context that responds to the specific needs and diversity of Austin’s communities.
What makes this office especially important is its accessibility; Council Members are closer to the people they serve, allowing for more direct engagement and advocacy. This closeness allows for swift action on emerging challenges, from neighborhood concerns to citywide initiatives.
This book resonates with my political philosophy because I’ve seen firsthand how these policies can undermine equitable urban growth. My focus is on challenging these trends by advocating for inclusive, people-centered policies that that prioritize people over profit—whether it’s pushing for affordable housing, stronger tenant protections or public investments that benefit all residents. I believe Hackworth's work offers valuable insights into why cities like Austin need proactive governance to counter these forces and create a more just and livable future for everyone.
To me, integrity means standing by your values and making decisions that benefit the public—even when they’re tough or unpopular. Transparency is essential for building trust; it involves being open about your policy decisions, listening to community feedback and explaining your reasoning.
I believe an elected official must also prioritize equity and ensure that policies uplift all residents, particularly those who have been historically marginalized. I also believe adaptability and a forward-thinking mindset are crucial, especially in a city like Austin that’s rapidly evolving.
It's essential to represent District 7's diverse needs by listening to residents, advocating for their priorities and building coalitions to drive meaningful change. This means focusing on key issues like affordable housing, transportation, sustainability, and public safety while making sure that all voices—especially those often marginalized—are included in decision-making.
My goal is to pave the way for a city where every resident has a voice in shaping our future and where community decisions are driven by compassion, equity and long-term sustainability. I want my legacy to show that local government can be both innovative and deeply rooted in the needs of its people.
This negotiation power gives the Council a unique tool to ensure that new developments contribute positively to the community and align with Austin's values. It’s a way to advocate for residents and address broader concerns like equity, sustainability and neighborhood preservation—directly influencing how Austin grows while prioritizing the needs of its people.
However, experience alone isn't enough. What truly matters is a commitment to community engagement, a willingness to listen and a drive to represent all Austinites. I believe fresh perspectives from those outside traditional government roles can bring innovative solutions and a stronger connection to grassroots concerns.
Community engagement is at the heart of local government; representing a city as diverse as Austin requires an elected official to actively listen, build trust and foster open dialogue with residents. It's about ensuring every voice, especially those historically left out, has a seat at the table.
Policy analysis is equally crucial. Austin faces complex challenges in areas like housing, transportation and budgeting, and crafting effective solutions requires a deep understanding of policy implications and how they affect different segments of the community.
Strategic planning is another key skill—our city is growing rapidly and we need leaders who can anticipate future challenges, set clear priorities and create policies that balance immediate needs with long-term goals.
One of its defining qualities is its direct connection to the community; Council Members are elected to represent specific districts, giving them an intimate understanding of the needs, challenges and aspirations of their constituents. This close relationship allows for responsive, community-centered governance that addresses local concerns in a way that state or federal offices simply cannot.
For me, transparency means ensuring that the public can easily access information on how their tax dollars are being spent, why decisions are made and what outcomes are expected. I believe the government should operate openly, not behind closed doors, and proactively engage the community in discussions about budget priorities and policies.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Austin City Council District 7 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 1, 2024
| |||||||||
