Five Candidates Seek Austin Council Seat as Prop I Faces Split

Five candidates are vying for the Austin City Council District 9 seat in the 2026 election. The race includes incumbent Zo Qadri, Rich Heyman, Katie Kam, Kai Huang, and Dave Thadani. Voters will select a winner in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026.

The candidates are divided on Proposition I, a measure requiring external audits of city spending. Huang supports the proposal, arguing it creates necessary outside accountability. Kam also backs the measure, stating a charter amendment would signal the city is serious about efficient operations. Qadri, Heyman, and the silent Thadani differ in their public stances. Qadri opposes Prop I, expressing full faith in the current city auditor. Heyman disagrees with the proposal, citing burdensome requirements in the current text.

Qadri, first elected four years ago, says he is running for reelection because of work completed on local issues. He believes more work remains to be done. Heyman, a former UT Austin professor with a Ph.D. in urban geography, cites his 30 years of studying cities as a qualification. He notes his background in defending student protest and free speech rights at the university. Kam, a civil engineer and former teacher, says she oriented her career toward serving Austin for the last 30 years. She claims this depth of knowledge will help make better informed decisions. Huang, who has a finance and tech background, describes himself as a neighbor's candidate without a political background. He aims to ensure money is spent wisely through financial oversight. Thadani did not respond to interview requests. His campaign website lists him as a UT student focused on walkability, transit, green spaces, affordable housing, and a landlord transparency portal.

The candidates addressed homelessness and public safety with varying approaches. Qadri stated that too many residents are unhoused and emphasized mental health and substance abuse resources. Huang argued that social work is necessary but funding must show results. He said he would not fund initiatives that show no progress. Heyman stated that a locality can only provide a certain amount of locally funded services. He emphasized the need to see results before increasing spending. Kam said addressing repeat offenders is essential for public safety. She suggested putting resources toward this issue to improve safety.

Transportation policies, specifically Project Connect, split the field. Qadri supports Project Connect and believes it lays a foundation for future benefits. He also advocates for more frequent bus routes and praised the e-bike program in District 9. Huang said there should be accountability for Project Connect funds. He proposed partnering with private companies to ensure oversight. He also suggested working with developers to build parking structures on dirt lots and analyzing traffic flows for bus route efficiency. Heyman voted for Project Connect but expressed disappointment with the scaled-back plan and rising costs. He called for a reassessment and suggested feeder systems of buses or on-demand vans. He also wants more action on the climate crisis. Kam advocated for stopping the Project Connect light rail project to reassess transit technology. She proposed a monorail system parallel to I-35 or Lamar to avoid street-level conflicts with pedestrians and cars. She also suggested low-speed electric vehicles, on-demand transit, and roundabouts.

Heyman’s candidacy includes a reference to his arrest two years ago. He was detained after a pro-Palestine protest at UT Austin. Heyman described being shoved by an officer and later surrounded by unmarked DPS vehicles in his neighborhood. He was charged with interfering with public duties, but the charge was dropped. He later learned his university contract would not be renewed. He described the event as traumatic and a beginning of a crackdown on free speech and academic freedom for students.

The primary election takes place on November 3, 2026. Voters in District 9 will cast ballots for one of the five candidates. The winner will serve on the Austin City Council. The election coincides with other citywide races. Campaign materials are available through each candidate's website. Qadri is the only incumbent seeking re-election. The other four candidates are challenging for the open seat.

No further public forums are scheduled for the candidates in the immediate weeks before the vote. The city clerk's office will certify the results following the election. The winner will take office after the certification process is complete. The race will be determined by the plurality of votes cast in District 9.