Voters in Austin City Council District 1 will choose among six candidates on Nov. 3 to replace Natasha Harper-Madison, who has represented the district for the past eight years. The district stretches from parts of East Seventh Street north to the Dessau area, near East Parmer Lane, and east to the city boundary. At candidate forums, residents have raised concerns about rising housing costs and gentrification, neighborhood school closures, homelessness, safety in parks and libraries, and limited shade and transportation in some areas. Several candidates have also emphasized the need for a stronger connection between residents and City Hall. Alexandria Anderson, an East Austin community advocate and small-business owner who chairs the city’s Commission for Women, has proposed dividing the large district into four areas, each with a community advisory committee. The committees could bring concerns about housing, development, transit, sidewalks, drainage and other infrastructure directly to city officials. On homelessness, Anderson said the city should work with organizations already serving people and use their experience to shape policy. Portia Riggins and Steven Brown both grew up in East Austin. Riggins, whose past work includes Austin 311, the Travis Central Appraisal District and Texas REALTORS, says the city should better coordinate services for people facing mental health and substance-use challenges. She has pointed to her experience growing up in a low-income family and public housing as a reason she understands the needs of underserved neighborhoods. Brown, a healthcare professional and youth football coach, has called for greater community engagement and transparency. He has described advocating for more Black firefighters in Austin after criticism of the department’s 2012 hiring process. Brown also opposed Proposition Q, saying a proposed tax increase would burden families and contribute to displacement. He has discussed using rent subsidies to make vacant affordable units more accessible to lower-income residents. Amber Goodwin, a former Travis County prosecutor and longtime labor organizer, founded a minority-led nonprofit focused on preventing gun violence. She has emphasized working with Travis County agencies and funding partners on healthcare and mental health services, including for people experiencing homelessness, and has proposed a community health hub. Goodwin raised more than $91,000 during the first six months of the year, more than the other candidates combined at that point. In an Oct. 5 campaign-finance filing, she remained in front, while Misael Ramos moved into second place and Anderson ranked third. Ramos, a neighborhood association president and former chair of the Blackland Community Development Corporation, has criticized the city’s housing approach as too market-driven. He questioned whether zoning changes under the Home Options for Mobility and Equity initiative have produced affordable housing for existing East Austin residents. Ramos has also opposed a state takeover of Austin ISD and backed considering a community use for historic Blackshear Elementary as it faces closure. Michael Nahas, an economist and former member of the city’s Economic Prosperity Commission, says he would focus on the city budget, housing costs, taxes and pension obligations. He is financing his own campaign and has not fundraised or canvassed, according to the candidates’ profiles. The six candidates have highlighted distinct areas of experience, including housing, finance, healthcare, public safety, data and maternal health. District 1 voters will decide which priorities and approach they want represented on the City Council.