Marc Duchen
2025 - Present
2029
0
Marc Duchen is a member of the Austin City Council in Texas, representing District 10. He assumed office on January 6, 2025. His current term ends on January 6, 2029.
Duchen ran for election to the Austin City Council to represent District 10 in Texas. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Duchen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Marc Duchen earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas, Austin in 2001 and a graduate degree from the Acton School of Business in 2009. His career experience includes working as a business owner and working in enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management, digital strategy, and project management. He has been affiliated with Stillhouse Canyon Homeowners Association, Austin Neighborhoods Council, and Save Our City Austin.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: City elections in Austin, Texas (2024)
General election
General election for Austin City Council District 10
Marc Duchen defeated Ashika Ganguly in the general election for Austin City Council District 10 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Marc Duchen (Nonpartisan)  | 50.6 | 20,810 |
 | Ashika Ganguly (Nonpartisan) | 49.4 | 20,321 | |
| Total votes: 41,131 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Duchen in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marc Duchen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Duchen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As a small business owner, I understand the challenges our local businesses face. With my MBA, I bring a practical approach to solving complex issues, from managing budgets to planning for Austin’s future growth. I’ve been actively involved in our civic life, leading homeowners’ associations and serving on the Austin Neighborhoods Council Executive Committee. I’ve worked to improve public safety, promote government transparency, and protect our environment.
What sets me apart is my commitment to listening and taking action on the needs of our community. I’ve attended public safety meetings, neighborhood forums, and environmental advocacy efforts to ensure our voices are heard. I’m running for Austin City Council because District 10 deserves a representative who brings both experience and fresh ideas to the table.
I’m proud to have earned endorsements from the Sierra Club, Austin Environmental Democrats, Council Member Alison Alter, Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, and Admiral McRaven. These leaders support my vision for addressing Austin’s challenges—whether it’s improving climate initiatives, fixing our transportation system, or making housing more affordable while preserving our neighborhood character.
I’m committed to delivering results.- • Public Safety: I will prioritize enhancing public safety by improving police oversight, mental health crisis response, and emergency services. Building trust between law enforcement and the community is key, and I will advocate for more transparency, better training, and resources to ensure all residents feel safe.
- • Balanced Growth with Infrastructure: As Austin continues to grow, we need to balance housing development with the infrastructure to support it. I will push for smart growth policies that address housing affordability while ensuring our transportation, utilities, and public services can keep pace with the city’s expansion.
- • Accountability and Transparency: I am committed to making government more transparent and accountable to its residents. I will advocate for responsible budgeting, ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent effectively on key priorities like transportation, infrastructure, and public safety, and that city decisions are made openly and with input from the community.
Affordable Housing: Balancing housing affordability with preserving our environment and community character is crucial. I support solutions that provide accessible housing without straining infrastructure.
Environmental Protection: I advocate for sustainability, reducing Austin’s carbon footprint, and preserving green spaces.
A key quality of this office is its direct connection to the community. Council members are elected by district, ensuring each area of the city is represented. This allows them to engage with constituents, understand their concerns, and shape policy based on the specific needs of their district. This close relationship with the community distinguishes City Council from state or federal offices, where officials often represent broader areas.
The Council is responsible for local legislation, focusing on policies that directly impact Austin—like zoning, land use, transportation, housing, and public safety. These decisions have an immediate effect on residents’ quality of life, from how neighborhoods are developed to the delivery of city services.
Another unique quality is the Council’s control over the city’s budget. Council members allocate funds for essential services such as police, fire, EMS, infrastructure, and parks. They are responsible for approving tax rates and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively, balancing the city’s needs with financial responsibility. This makes the Council essential to shaping Austin’s future growth.
Additionally, the City Council provides oversight of the city’s executive branch, including the city manager and other officials. This ensures accountability and transparency in city operations, helping prevent misuse of power and promoting good governance.
Ensuring Accountability and Transparency: Maintaining transparency in government is critical to building trust with the public. It’s a council member's responsibility to ensure that decisions are made openly, the public understands how city funds are being allocated, and city operations run efficiently. This includes providing clear, consistent communication and creating opportunities for public engagement so residents feel connected to the decision-making process.
Advocating for Affordability and Sustainable Growth: Austin’s rapid growth requires a thoughtful approach to development. A council member must advocate for policies that promote housing affordability while balancing this with environmental sustainability and infrastructure capacity. It's essential to support growth that benefits all neighborhoods without sacrificing Austin’s character.
Improving Public Safety: Council members must ensure that law enforcement agencies are effective, equitable, and accountable. This includes overseeing police oversight initiatives, improving mental health crisis response, and ensuring emergency services are properly resourced.
One lesser-known power is the Council’s role in appointing members to city boards and commissions, which shape policy on areas like housing, transportation, and the environment. These appointments influence Austin's development and ensure that citizen voices are involved in key decisions.
Another important responsibility is the Council’s authority to negotiate and approve contracts with public and private entities. This power allows the Council to shape partnerships with companies and nonprofits, ensuring agreements benefit the city and its residents.
The Council can also initiate or oversee independent investigations into city departments when there are concerns about corruption or mismanagement. This oversight is essential for ensuring accountability and making sure public resources are managed effectively.
The Council holds significant influence over land use and zoning policies, impacting housing affordability, business growth, and neighborhood character. Decisions in this area shape Austin’s future by balancing development with the preservation of green spaces and community integrity.
Additionally, the Council plays a key role in public safety policies beyond law enforcement. This includes decisions on emergency services, mental health crisis response, and disaster preparedness, all vital to Austin’s safety and resilience.
Over the years, I’ve built a deep understanding of how local government works, from navigating city budgets to shaping policy. Through my work leading homeowners’ associations and serving on the Austin Neighborhoods Council Executive Committee, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions impact residents' lives. This experience allows me to be more effective in tackling the issues facing our community right away, without the steep learning curve that often comes with public office.
I’ve also developed strong relationships with local leaders, city staff, and advocacy groups, which will help me push important initiatives forward. Collaboration is key to getting things done in city government, and having those connections from day one allows me to work more efficiently and build consensus.
My involvement in the civic scene has provided valuable insight into the needs of Austin’s diverse communities. Whether it’s advocating for public safety, environmental protections, or transparency in government, I’ve consistently focused on addressing the concerns of District 10 residents. Listening to the community has been central to my approach, and it’s something I will continue as a council member.
Leadership – Bringing people together to achieve shared goals and move initiatives forward.
Problem-solving – Analyzing complex challenges like housing and infrastructure and proposing practical solutions.
Communication and listening – Staying connected with constituents, ensuring their concerns are heard, and effectively communicating policies.
Budgeting and finance expertise – Managing taxpayer dollars responsibly to ensure services are funded effectively.
Direct Representation: Council members represent specific districts, ensuring that the diverse voices of Austin’s neighborhoods are heard. This close connection allows the Council to address the unique needs and concerns of different communities.
Local Legislation: Unlike state or federal offices, the City Council focuses on issues directly impacting residents’ daily lives, such as housing, transportation, public safety, and zoning. These decisions shape the character and functionality of the city.
Budgetary Control: The Council holds significant power over the city’s budget, allocating funds to vital services like police, fire, EMS, parks, and infrastructure. This financial oversight ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to address the city’s needs.
Oversight of City Operations: The Council acts as a check on the city’s executive branch, including the city manager and other departments, ensuring transparency and accountability in how the city is managed.
Shaping Austin’s Future Growth: Through decisions on zoning, land use, and development, the Council plays a key role in how Austin grows, balancing the need for affordable housing, environmental protection, and economic development.
Environmental protection: Council plays a large role in parkland and green space acquisition and maintenance, as well as water conservation and air quality. We own our own water and electric utilities which greatly influences energy and environmental issues.
District 10 Council Member Alison Alter – As a term-limited council member for District 10, Alison’s endorsement speaks to her trust in my ability to carry on the work of advocating for our community.
Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, Pct 2 – Her support underscores my dedication to addressing the environmental and development challenges Austin faces.
Admiral William McRaven – As a leader known for his service and integrity, his endorsement highlights my focus on public safety, transparency, and accountability.
Financial transparency starts with a clear budgeting process. Budgets and expenditures should be accessible, and spending must be updated regularly for public review. I support publishing detailed budget reports, providing online access to financial data, and holding public forums to discuss city spending. Routine audits are vital for ensuring that public funds are used efficiently, identifying areas of waste, and holding the city accountable.
Government accountability requires that officials take responsibility for their actions and decisions. If mistakes occur, they must be addressed quickly and transparently. Independent oversight and routine audits are key tools to prevent mismanagement and ensure high standards. Audits or a local "Sunset" Commission would provide the public with clear assessments of the city’s financial health and management.
Community involvement is central to transparency and accountability. Engaging with the public through town halls, neighborhood meetings, and accessible communication channels ensures that residents can voice their concerns and that decisions reflect the community’s needs. It’s not just about sharing information; it’s about creating a dialogue with the people.
Transparency in decision-making fosters trust. When residents understand how decisions are made and see their input reflected in policy, it builds confidence in local government. Open discussions, informed by regular audits and accountability measures, ensure that decisions are grounded in facts and serve the best interests of the community.
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
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Candidate Austin City Council District 10 |
Officeholder Austin City Council District 10 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 11, 2024
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alison Alter |
Austin City Council District 10 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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