Austin City Council District 3 · Nov 3, 2026
José Velásquez
Candidate for City Council District 3 (incumbent)
José Velásquez, the incumbent, is running for Austin City Council District 3 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Eduardo "Lalito" Romero, Brock Skinner, Gavin Fernandez Jr. and Neha Shah.
Last day to register to vote · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayA fourth-generation Austinite who has represented District 3 since 2023 and previously served on boards including the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission and the Mayor's Anti-Displacement Taskforce.
José Velásquez did not respond to Community Impact's District 3 questionnaire before press time. Community Impact candidate Q&A · Sep 17, 2026
Where José Velásquez stands: positions on the record
Budget and taxes2 sourced positions
Voted yes in the roll call adopting the city budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 (passed 9-2, Aug 2026).
Council voteAustin City Council Aug 12, 2026 budget meeting transcript (official minutes not yet posted) · Aug 12, 2026
Voted yes on calling the November 2025 tax rate election for a rate of $0.574017 per $100 (passed 11-0, Aug 2025).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · Aug 13, 2025
Dog's Head development1 sourced position
Voted no on Ordinance No. 20260723-111 creating Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 21 for Dog's Head (passed 7-3, July 2026).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · Jul 23, 2026
Housing2 sourced positions
Voted yes on starting code changes to allow two- and three-unit homes in all zoning districts where housing is permitted (passed 9-1, May 2026).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · May 7, 2026
Voted yes on a citywide density bonus program allowing added height in exchange for affordable housing (passed 8-1, May 2026).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · May 21, 2026
Bonds2 sourced positions
Voted no on directing the city manager to prepare a November 2026 bond election ordinance (passed 8-3, Aug 2026).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · Aug 4, 2026
as reported by Austin Current; not a direct quote
Said he voted against putting the bonds on the ballot partly because of taxes and that now was not the time for a bond.
“Right now was just not the time to pass a bond.”
Forum answerAustin Current (Austin Current/Austin PBS/KUT forum) · Oct 1, 2026
Efficiency audit1 sourced position
as reported by Austin Current; not a direct quote
Will not support Proposition I, calling it too severe.
Forum answerAustin Current (Austin Current/Austin PBS/KUT forum) · Oct 1, 2026
Homelessness2 sourced positions
Voted no on buying a building at 2401 South Interstate 35 for up to $4,375,000 (passed 8-3, Oct 2025).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · Oct 9, 2025
Said he voted no on the South I-35 site purchase because of the process and pace, not the mission.
“I am voting no to the process and the pace.”
Own statementKUT News · Oct 9, 2025
Data centers1 sourced position
as reported by The Austin Bulldog; not a direct quote
At an August forum, said data centers do not belong in Austin.
“They don’t belong in Austin, Texas.”
Forum answerThe Austin Bulldog (Aug. 22 Clean Water Action/Public Citizen forum) · Aug 30, 2026
City spending1 sourced position
Voted yes on creating a citywide Comprehensive Efficiency Assessment Program under the City Auditor (passed 11-0, Feb 2026).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · Feb 26, 2026
Public safety1 sourced position
Voted yes on an ordinance setting rules for city use of surveillance technology (passed 10-0, April 2026).
Council voteAustin City Council minutes · Apr 23, 2026
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Austin City Council District 3 in 2022 (won in a December runoff).
Own statementCity of Austin Resolution No. 20221221-001 canvassing the Dec 13, 2022 runoff · Dec 21, 2022
Ethics1 sourced position
The Austin Ethics Review Commission ordered a letter of admonition after finding violations of City Code Section 2-7-72(E) (Reports) on financial disclosure statements (Aug 2023).
Council voteCity of Austin Ethics Review Commission, Order on Preliminary Hearing, Complaint No. 20230714 · Aug 23, 2023
What José Velásquez said vs. how José Velásquez voted
Bonds
In their words
Said he voted against putting the bonds on the ballot partly because of taxes and that now was not the time for a bond.
Oct 1, 2026 ·as reported by Austin Current; not a direct quote ·Austin Current (Austin Current/Austin PBS/KUT forum) · Oct 1, 2026
On the record
Voted no on directing the city manager to prepare a November 2026 bond election ordinance (passed 8-3, Aug 2026).
Aug 4, 2026 ·Austin City Council minutes · Aug 4, 2026
Homelessness
In their words
Said he voted no on the South I-35 site purchase because of the process and pace, not the mission.
Oct 9, 2025 ·KUT News · Oct 9, 2025
On the record
Voted no on buying a building at 2401 South Interstate 35 for up to $4,375,000 (passed 8-3, Oct 2025).
Oct 9, 2025 ·Austin City Council minutes · Oct 9, 2025
Also running for City Council District 3
All 22 Austin candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.