For the first time in over three decades, voters in Southeastern Travis County are set to elect a new commissioner for their precinct. The Travis County Precinct 4 Commissioner position has been held by Margaret Gómez since 1995, but she announced her retirement last year, paving the way for new candidates.
Four local Democrats are competing to take the reins of the precinct, which encompasses much of South and Southeast Austin, extending to the borders of Hays, Caldwell, and Bastrop counties. This area is notable for its significant population of Black and Hispanic residents and among the lowest median household incomes in Travis County, as indicated by U.S. Census data.
The prospect of new leadership has galvanized residents, particularly those in Far East Austin, who have long advocated for infrastructure improvements, enhanced water quality, and increased access to grocery stores and health clinics.
Residents are also urging candidates to oppose local Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and to monitor Tesla’s Gigafactory in Del Valle more closely. Many in the community believe that Tesla should not receive tax breaks from the county, especially given its history of environmental and workplace safety violations.
The candidates for the position include Susanna Ledesma-Woody, Ofelia Maldonado Zapata, George Morales, and Gavino Fernandez. With no Republican contenders, the winner of the March 3 primary will face no opposition in the November election.
Candidates Overview
Susanna Ledesma-Woody: Ledesma-Woody grew up near Del Valle, an experience she describes as one marked by a lack of resources and urgency. Her involvement in community organizing began around 15 years ago after her son entered school, leading her to establish a parent-teacher association at his school. She has served on the school board since winning a seat in 2011 and is now running for Precinct 4 Commissioner for the third time.
Her initial campaign in 2018 was driven by frustration over unaddressed needs in the community, particularly the lack of grocery stores and hospitals. Although she lost that election by a substantial margin, her 2022 campaign was much closer, with a loss by just 248 votes. Ledesma-Woody’s primary focus this time is on investing in equitable infrastructure to address the needs of underserved communities.
“Once we get the infrastructure in place, we can tackle a lot of the other issues that plague the community, especially when it comes to economic growth and development and housing,” she stated.
Ofelia Maldonado Zapata: Growing up in public housing in East Austin, Maldonado Zapata has dedicated much of her life to community service. After retiring on disability in 1995 due to her visual impairment, she has held leadership roles in various nonprofit organizations and was elected to the Austin Independent School District board of trustees in 2020. She prefers to identify as a community organizer rather than a politician.
Her top priority, if elected, would be to improve water quality in Austin Colony, where residents pay high prices for water from a for-profit utility. “People are not drinking that water,” she lamented, questioning why progress has been slow in addressing these longstanding issues.
George Morales: Raised in Dove Springs in a large family, Morales became a father at a young age and worked as a garbage man to support his family. He transitioned to law enforcement in the mid-90s and has served as the Travis County Precinct 4 Constable since 2016. During the pandemic, he led the county’s vaccine distribution efforts, administering 380,000 vaccines and offering free funeral escorts for residents who lost loved ones to COVID-19.
Morales aims to promote transparency regarding county services and plans to prioritize road repairs and collaborate with the Texas Department of Transportation on local construction projects.
Gavino Fernandez Jr.: A lifelong Austin resident, Fernandez has a history of public service, having worked on the Travis County Commissioner Precinct 4 staff in the early 90s. His motivation to run for commissioner stems from his experiences helping individuals struggling with substance abuse access mental health resources.
Fernandez’s primary focus will be on maintaining affordability in the precinct. He plans to oppose tax increases and evaluate existing county contracts to ensure resources are allocated effectively to the often-overlooked communities of Precinct 4.
Early voting for the primary election begins on February 17, with Election Day scheduled for March 3.
