Two first-term Austin City Council members announced they will seek reelection in May 2011. Place 3 council member Randi Shade was first to market with her press release at 2:15 p.m. today. Less than an hour later, at 3:11 p.m., Place 1 council member Chris Riley announced that he too would be seeking reelection.
Why today? Here's one likely reason: November 15 is the first day that an officer holder can solicit or accept political contributions, according to the City of Austin election calendar. Candidates can't actually file for a place on the ballot until February.
From Randi Shade's press release:
About her first term in office, Randi stated, "it may be impossible to agree on all issues or to see every challenge coming, but it is possible to have thoughtful debate and make decisions that are driven by fairness and common sense." She added, "This is everybody's Austin. I have the ability and willingness to help people from all parts of our community, regardless of the issue and regardless of the politics. I am running for re-election to continue to work hard to make Austin the best place it can be."
Chris Riley's release was more matter-of-fact, and hasn't yet been posted to his website.
Austin, Texas - Place 1 Austin City Councilmember Chris Riley announced today that he will seek re-election in May 2011. Riley won the Place 1 seat in the May 2009 municipal election, filling the unexpired term of then-Councilmember Lee Leffingwell. Democratic and neighborhood activist Mike Clark-Madison will serve as treasurer of Riley's re-election campaign. Longtime Austin political consultant David Butts will help lead the campaign, with support from fundraising consultant Susan Harry, who also worked for Riley's 2009 campaign.
