Chito Vela wins race to replace Greg Casar on Austin City Council

Jose "Chito" Vela III won the special election in Austin to replace departing City Council Member Greg Casar in District 4, an outcome that likely means residents in the north-central area can expect similar leadership as they did under Casar.

Vela, an immigration lawyer, campaigned on progressive policies on housing and workers rights mirroring those Casar championed in his seven years on the council. It was no surprise that when it was time for Casar to announce an endorsement, it went to Vela.

Vela, whom Casar once appointed to the city's Planning Commission, avoided the need for a runoff by securing 59% of all votes — the most by far of the seven candidates in the race.

He separated himself from the pack by stressing the need to increase housing supply to make Austin more affordable and keep longtime residents from getting priced out of the city.

"I think that in Northeast Austin and in East Austin we need champions for bringing down the cost of housing and protecting people's civil rights. I think Chito is that council man," Casar said.

Vela will complete the final three years of Casar's term and be eligible to seek reelection in 2024.

The win became official just before 9 p.m. Tuesday when the Travis County clerk published the final batch of election day results. By that time, Vela already was well on his way to a decisive victory based on a big advantage he secured in the 11-day early voting period.

In total, 3,600 votes were cast in the election, accounting for 10% of all registered district voters in District 4. Vela received 2,137 votes. No other candidate cracked 500 votes.

"I think the experience and the knowledge I have more than anything resonated with voters — that this is someone they can trust to be their council member," Vela said.

Vela will start the job on Feb. 4 after he takes the oath of office. One day earlier, Casar, who has represented the district for seven years and is leaving to run for Congress, will participate in his final City Council meeting.

District 4 is in the north-central area, both east and west of Interstate 35. Neighborhoods that fall inside its boundaries include St. Johns, Georgian Acres and Windsor Park, where Vela lives.

Vela's victory was the most likely outcome, although some insiders suggested it would happen in a runoff because he might struggle to earn a majority of the votes Tuesday amid such a crowded field.

Vela began campaigning before any other candidate and raised almost twice the combined amount of money raised by his opponents. He also had name recognition after running for a Texas House seat in 2018, a race in which he was the underdog but campaigned well and narrowly lost the Democratic primary to front-runner Sheryl Cole.

Previously: Voter turnout lags in race to replace Greg Casar on Austin City Council

The victory leaves unchanged the council's gender, racial and political makeup. There will continue to be eight women and three men, and its makeup also will remain three Hispanics, one Black person and seven whites. There will still be 10 Democrats and one Republican.

Vela, 47, said his priorities are reducing crime and homelessness, ensuring the mass transit plan Project Connect is completed on time and on budget, and fighting for working-class families.

More: Meet the seven candidates hoping to replace Greg Casar on Austin City Council

Finishing second was Monica Guzmán with 13% of the vote. Third was Jade Lovera with 11%. Both Guzmán and Lovera discussed the importance of developing more housing, but in doing so, separated themselves from Vela by highlighting the need for residents to protest zoning changes they do not agree with.

The discussion comes at a time when the median home sale price within Austin's city limits is $555,000, and the number of prospective buyers is greater than the number of homes for sale.

"I was not running away from the housing issue," Vela said. "I went to doors and they completely understood."

Vela said that his team knocked on 1,600 doors last weekend.

Rounding out the field were Amanda Rios (9%) and Melinda Schiera (4%), as well as Isa Boonto and Ramesses II Setepenre, who both won under 1% of the vote.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Chito Vela wins election in Austin City Council District 4