Mayor · Not on the 2026 ballot

The Austin mayoral race.

Mayor is a citywide nonpartisan office on a four-year cycle. The seat was last contested in November 2024; the next mayoral election is in November 2028.

Current Officeholder

Sitting mayor.

Below is the current mayor through January 2029. For a deeper biography and career timeline, see the full Mayor profile.

In Office · Through Jan 2029
Kirk Watson
56th Mayor of Austin, Texas
Re-elected November 2024 to his current term (Jan 2025 – Jan 2029). Previously served as mayor 1997–2001, then in the Texas Senate 2007–2020. Lawyer; founding dean of the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs.
Full mayor profile
Next race: Nov 2028
Open for filing in 2028.
No candidates have filed yet
Under Austin’s charter, the mayor is limited to two consecutive four-year terms. Mayor Watson’s 2025–2029 term is his second consecutive, meaning he is not eligible to file again for 2028. The seat will be open.
Past mayors of Austin
The Office

About the mayor’s seat.

The Mayor of Austin is elected citywide and presides over an 11-member City Council under a council-manager form of government. The mayor sets the agenda, casts a vote like any other council member, represents the city externally, and appoints — with council approval — the City Manager who runs day-to-day operations.

Ballot Reach
Citywide
Current Term
Jan 2025 – Jan 2029
Last Elected
November 2024
Next Election
November 2028
Term Length
4 Years
Term Limits
Two Consecutive

Full mayor profile → Past mayors timeline

About this page. AustinMayor.com is an independent civic-reference site. This page covers the mayoral race; AustinMayor.com has not stated an editorial position on any mayoral candidate. The one stated editorial position on this site is the endorsement of Katie Kam for City Council District 9.