Community & World

Election Day Brings New and Returning Local Government to the Community

Hannah McDonough, Horizon Assistant Editor| November 9, 2022

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, voters lined up at the polls, casting their votes for governor, mayor, and RRISD Board of Trustees, among other positions on the ballot.

In light of Tuesday’s election, the community saw some changes in local politics, as well as some incumbent leadership continuing for another term.

The race for governor resulted in Governor Greg Abbott’s reelection. His biggest contender was Beto O’Rourke, a former member of Congress and the El Paso City Council. Texas historically votes Republican, a trend unbroken with Governor Abbott’s reelection.

The mayoral race will continue in a runoff election between Kirk Watson and Celia Israel in December. While these two candidates had the most votes, neither of them received more than 50% of the votes, a requirement to be elected mayor.

Three incumbent members of the RRISD Board of Trustees were reelected, while two new members will also be joining the board. Amber Feller will continue her term in Place 3, Amy Weir in Place 5, and Tiffanie Harrison in Place 6. Alicia Markum and Estevan Zarate will be joining the board in places 1 and 4, respectively.

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A new series of renovations will commence for The Domain in late 2024 and early 2025, bringing numerous additional luxury brands and greenspaces to the complex. These changes have incited broader discussions surrounding Austin's growth trajectory towards smart city planning and modernized suburban development.

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Newly-reelected Place 1 Trustee Mr. Chuy Zárate hopes to promote unity throughout the community by celebrating cultural and societal differences. Aiming to foster a communal culture of appreciation and respect, Mr. Zárate is eager to make an impact on the district.

Place 1 Trustee Mr. Chuy Zárate Hopes to Bring Best Out of Community

Newly-elected Place 7 Trustee Dr. Wei is eager to utilize his in-depth background in data science to remove what he believes are unneeded politics from practical decision making. Dr. Wei plans on incorporating key data science tools to ensure the best policies are produced.

Place 7 Trustee Dr. Michael Wei Plans to Streamline Decision-Making Procedure

Newly-elected RRISD Place 2 Trustee Ms. Melissa Ross hopes that she can make a widespread impact on not only the student bodies, but the general community. She makes a point not to seek recognition, but rather pour her efforts into creating tangible change.

Place 2 Trustee Ms. Melissa Ross Aims for Impact, Not Recognition

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