Mackenzie Kelly
Mackenzie Kelly is a member of the Austin City Council, representing District 6 in Texas. She assumed office on January 6, 2021. Her current term ends on January 6, 2025.
Kelly ran for election to the Austin City Council to represent District 6 in Texas. She won in the general runoff election on December 15, 2020.
Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Kelly was a 2014 candidate for District 6 of the Austin, Texas City Council.
Contents
Biography
Kelly was born on September 8, 1986, in Austin, Texas. She has attended classes at the American Military University and Harvard University. Her professional experience includes working as a client care manager for a senior care agency.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: City elections in Austin, Texas (2020)
General runoff election for Austin City Council District 6
Mackenzie Kelly defeated incumbent James Flannigan in the general runoff election for Austin City Council District 6 on December 15, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Mackenzie Kelly (Nonpartisan) |
52.2
|
7,875 |
|
|
James Flannigan (Nonpartisan) |
47.8
|
7,198 | |
|
|
Total votes: 15,073 |
General election for Austin City Council District 6
Incumbent James Flannigan and Mackenzie Kelly advanced to a runoff. They defeated Jennifer Mushtaler and Dee Harrison in the general election for Austin City Council District 6 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
James Flannigan (Nonpartisan) |
38.0
|
7,089 |
| ✔ |
|
Mackenzie Kelly (Nonpartisan) |
36.1
|
6,741 |
|
|
Jennifer Mushtaler (Nonpartisan) |
19.8
|
3,688 | |
|
|
Dee Harrison (Nonpartisan) |
6.2
|
1,152 | |
|
|
Total votes: 18,670 |
2014
- See also: Austin, Texas municipal elections, 2014.
The city of Austin held elections for city council on November 4, 2014. The candidate filing deadline was August 18, 2014. Because of redistricting and term limits, there was no incumbent for District 6.[2] The candidates were James T. Flannigan, Mackenzie Kelly, Lloyd "Pete" Phillips Jr., Matt Stillwell, Jay Wiley and Donald S. Zimmerman.[3] Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the general election, the top two vote-getters - Flannigan and Zimmerman - faced each other in a runoff election on December 16, 2014.[4] Zimmerman was the winner.[5]
| Austin City Council, District 6, 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
 Donald S. Zimmerman |
51.2% | 4,012 | |
| James T. Flannigan | 48.8% | 3,821 | |
| Total Votes | 7,833 | ||
| Source: Travis County Clerk - 2014 Official Runoff Election Results | |||
| Austin City Council, District 6, 2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| James T. Flannigan |
24% | 3,702 | |
| Donald S. Zimmerman |
24.2% | 3,729 | |
| Mackenzie Kelly | 9% | 1,382 | |
| Lloyd "Pete" Phillips Jr. | 4.6% | 704 | |
| Matt Stillwell | 15.4% | 2,366 | |
| Jay Wiley | 22.8% | 3,513 | |
| Total Votes | 11,883 | ||
| Source: Travis County Clerk - 2014 Official Election Results | |||
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Mackenzie Kelly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Kelly's responses.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
Supporting a top-down cleanup at City Hall, lifelong Austin resident and public servant Mackenzie Kelly is seeking election to Austin City Council District 6 in Northwest Austin. In early March 2020, Kelly was appointed president of the non-profit group Take Back Austin which is focused on constructive ways to keep the Mayor and Council accountable and to educate about the reckless Austin homeless camping ordinance which has threatened the lives of the homeless and the non-homeless alike. Kelly was recently elected president of the 100th class of APD's Citizen Police Academy. In other civil service, she worked with the Jollyville Fire Department from 2005-13. She is now employed in the health care sector working with front-line workers who care for the area's elderly population. Mackenzie is no stranger to the politics of the district, having run for the first election under the 10-1 plan in 2014, finishing with around 9% of the vote on what was mostly a word-of-mouth campaign. In 2020, she is endorsed by the top leaders in the Austin community - from former Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell to conservative firebrand and the first District 6 representative Don Zimmerman. Kelly, a native of Northwest Austin, is a married mother of an inquisitive 10-year-old.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
LAW ENFORCEMENT: With the Austin Police Department now 200 officers short, and radical activists calling for de-funding the police, supporting our law enforcement community will be a major focus of Mackenzie's term. Sadly, incumbent District 6 Council member Jimmy Flannigan has vociferously called for de-funding and "reimagining" our police department. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Mackenzie is interested in continuing citizen-led efforts to audit the city and find ways to save taxpayer dollars in a variety of services. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE: Mackenzie will fight for businesses of all sizes and safely reduce onerous restrictions that have resulted in a staggering number of closures and layoffs.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?
Accessibility to the citizens is a critical function of the Austin City Council, especially after 2013 when the voters set up 10 geographically based district. Without a voice for the taxpayers at City Hall, the city would be beholden to the "expert class" who work in government offices or lobbyists who wish to gain something from their interaction with the city. I will work to keep outside influences and unelected bureaucrats in check while providing a listening ear to everyone, especially my constituents.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
President George W. Bush, for his expert handling of the 9/11 attacks in the days that followed. We heard him.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"Conscience of a Conservative" by Barry Goldwater.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Listening is priority No. 1. A Council member has no place being an advocate for only certain members of the community, or ignoring the needs of others. Personal integrity is another, as so much is entrusted to Council members. An unwavering dedication to public safety is critical for a Council member as the citizens are relying on their representatives at City Hall to keep their neighborhoods free from crime and ilicit behavior. Finally, an ability to be firm and say no to influences that would seek to erode the public's trust in our Council.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
See above.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Keeping an eye on spending, and demanding nothing short of a full audit. Reading through each Council agenda and packet carefully and with a critical eye. Communication with other Council members and various departments to gain a better understanding of the issue before the Council. Energetically pursuing good relationships with the community, including appearances at important events. I will continue the District 6 Field Office and fully staff it to reach constituents who are unable to easily travel and find parking downtown.
What legacy would you like to leave?
A safer and more prosperous Austin for my daughter, and one that is every bit as dynamic and creative as the one I grew up in.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The Oklahoma City federal building bombing. I was eight years old, and was greatly afraid of every white moving truck we would see while riding bikes around the neighborhood as kids.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Volunteer firefighter, eight years.
What is your favorite book? Why?
"Conscience of a Conservative" by Barry Goldwater. It pretty much covers everything I'm dealing with, lately!
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Ariel from Disney's "The Little Mermaid." (What can I say? I like to swim and my hair is red.)
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"White Flag" by Bishop Biggs
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
Since the electric and water utilities are city-owned, Council members can help Austin residents to file appeals when receiving a shockingly high bill. Council offices can also direct citizens to the proper city department or employee to address a number of day-to-day issues.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes and no. Experience can play a role in navigating a very political environment at city hall and helping other members of the Council to better understand complex issues that come before the dais. On the other hand, coming in with little political experience can help the Council member better identify with the average taxpayer who may not know all the ins-and-outs of municipal government. I believe I have enough experience with the public sector (especially police, fire, and EMS) to be a knowledgeable Council member, while at the same time I will bring in the perspective of a first-time officeholder.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
As a native of Northwest Austin, I have a breadth of local knowledge that exceeds many members on the current Council. As a former firefighter and citizens police academy graduate I will be a voice for public safety at City Hall. I'm a natural when it comes to getting to know new people and enjoy helping others find solutions to the problems they face. I will bring my experience as a communicator and a community volunteer to a Council that desperately needs to mend fences with the Austin community and clean up our town.
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.
2014
On her campaign website, Kelly highlighted the following issues:[6]
Affordability
- Excerpt: "It’s my priority to make a realistic plan for enabling tax incentive programs in order to keep taxes at a minimum. To do so, I plan on supporting homestead exemption programs to homeowners. It is my belief that those who made Austin what it is today are the ones that are being priced out of being able to live here. I fully support the state maximum for homestead exemptions. Let’s work together not raise the property tax rate any higher than it already is."
Transportation
- Excerpt: "If elected for City Council, I would support initiatives to provide funding to complete the following road projects: US 183 Fully-Directional Interchange Completion, Downtown Access Roadway and Riverside Interchange [and] Regional Transportation Management and I-35 Integrated Corridor Management. I would also support the following multi-modal regional roadway projects: SH 71 Direct connectors to ABIA [and] US 183/ Riverside Interchange."[7]
Public safety
- Excerpt: "In order to keep Austin safe, something needs to be done. The Austin Police Department has an extensive community involvement program. Solutions to the crime problem can be solved by ensuring that the community understands the array of involvement that the police department provides to the community. Currently, the Austin Police Department participates in Neighborhood Watch Programs, Neighborhood Associations Meetings, Business Association Meetings, Citizens on Patrol Meetings and Apartment Residents on Watch Meetings. These meetings are held all over Austin in various neighborhoods regularly. In addition, they provide several urban decay prevention programs such as code enforcement violations, illegal dumping, graffiti and abandoned and junk vehicle notification programs. Keeping Austin safe is a priority we can all assist with."
Bag ban
- Excerpt: "When elected, I will ensure the proper steps are taken to fully repeal the bag ban."
See also
2020 Elections
External links
- Profile from the City of Austin
- Campaign Website
- Social Media
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 14, 2020
- ↑ City of Austin, "2014 Election Calendar," accessed May 14, 2014
- ↑ City of Austin, "2014 Candidate List," accessed September 4, 2014
- ↑ Travis County Clerk, "2014 Unofficial Election Results," accessed November 4, 2014
- ↑ Travis County Clerk, "2014 Runoff Election Results," accessed December 16, 2014
- ↑ Kelly for Austin, "Solutions," accessed September 26, 2014
- ↑ Slight structural modifications were made to this excerpt for stylistic purposes. The content, however, is unchanged. For the original version see here
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Flannigan |
Austin City Council, District 6 2021 – Present |
Succeeded by NA |
| |||||||||
