Travis Austin

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Travis Austin

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 2, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2023

Personal

Birthplace

Wisconsin

Profession

Student

Contact

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Travis Austin ran for election to the Dane County Board of Supervisors to represent District 13 in Wisconsin. He lost in the general election on April 2, 2024.

Austin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Travis Austin was born in Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2023. His career experience includes working as an administrative assistant and student. Austin has been affiliated with the Dane County Hockey Officials Association and AFSCME Local 2412. He has served as co-chair of UW-Health HIV Comprehensive Care Community Advisory Council and volunteered for Badger Boys State.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Dane County, Wisconsin (2024)

General election

General election for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 13

Incumbent Jay Brower defeated Travis Austin in the general election for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 13 on April 2, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jay Brower (Nonpartisan)	62.8	1,088
		Travis Austin (Nonpartisan)	36.2	628
		Other/Write-in votes	1.0	17

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,733
= 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.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 13

Incumbent Jay Brower and Travis Austin defeated Ronan Rataj in the primary for Dane County Board of Supervisors District 13 on February 20, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jay Brower (Nonpartisan)	67.6	334
✔		Travis Austin (Nonpartisan)	18.8	93
	Submit photo	Ronan Rataj (Nonpartisan)	13.0	64
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	3

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 494
= 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.

Endorsements

Austin received the following endorsements.

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Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Travis Austin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Austin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a recent graduate from UW-Madison and will be returning for my Master’s in Public Affairs this fall. During my time as an undergraduate student, I was a member of the UW Marching band, representing my university and state. I currently work for UW Athletics to maintain my connection to my campus community and pursue my professional interests. As a lifelong Dane County resident, I am deeply connected to my county and my community. Representing my rural community in the Town of Berry has prepared me to represent District 13 and I will bring my experience as a prior elected official to the Dane County board. In addition to holding prior office, I have served my community as a youth hockey referee, currently serve as the Co-Chair of the UW-Health HIV Comprehensive Care Community Advisory Council, and through volunteer work with the Badger Boys State program run by the American Legion. I’ve been a consistent advocate for the needs of LGBTQ+ residents of Dane County, even in the face of having the police called to a Pride event I hosted in my hometown by the Town Board Chairman.

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?

• Addressing the housing crisis facing the residents of District 13 will be my top priority. The county government can and should be providing more resources to alleviate the strain of a rapidly increased student population through all means necessary. I know that the issues of housing affordability and healthcare access facing the students in my district are not just isolated to the campus area and require a county-wide approach.
• As someone who has been impacted by the failings of the health services provided to UW-Madison students, I want to connect students with the resources Dane County has to offer, especially mental health services, and ensure everyone can access the services they need without worrying about whether they can afford them.
• I am a young, energetic, and experienced student ready to bring his voice and perspectives to the Dane County Board of Supervisors. A majority-student district deserves a representative who knows and has lived through the issues students are facing and is ready to advocate for policy that will change the direction of Dane County and change my campus community for the better. I’m a newcomer to county politics and can fairly and independently represent the district’s interests free from outside influences.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The top priority of my campaign is using every resource Dane County has available to address our housing crisis, especially for District 13’s student population. I personally know the difficulty of finding affordable accommodations near campus and know the issue will only continue to become worse as the UW-Madison student body increases in future years. I’m also personally invested in healthcare access and outcomes within the county. Having struggled with student health services in the past and disparities facing LGBTQ+ people in accessing care, I want to ensure everyone can access the care they need and eliminate disparities in our healthcare systems.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important principle for elected officials in all levels of government is openness and accountability to their constituents. Outside forces and interests should not take precedence over the desires and perspectives of the people you represent. Mistrust in politicians and political institutions is at historical lows and we must restore faith in our elected leaders.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe a core responsibility of District 13’s representatives is that they reflect the views and perspectives of the large student population in the district. Dane County’s maps were drawn to give students a voice in local government and I believe this is best represented with a student representing the district.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Uncle Iroh from Avatar the Last Airbender (animated series). I hope when I grow old I become a wise man who sips tea and gives sage advice to his friends and family.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Trustfall by P!NK

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The biggest struggle I’ve faced was being diagnosed as HIV positive in May of 2022. Facing the stigma of the disease alone after finding out my partner was cheating for the entirety of our relationship left me at my lowest point in life. But, I choose not to let this or any other hardships in my life define me and what I can do. I fight the ongoing stigmatization of HIV through my advocacy and being open about my status as a candidate for public office.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Progressive Dane
Ronan Rataj

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.

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Dane County Board of Supervisors District 13

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