Five Candidates Are Running for Austin City Council District 9, and They Split on Prop I and Project Connect

Five candidates are running for Austin City Council District 9 in the November 3 election, according to FOX 7 Austin's candidate guide: incumbent Zo Qadri, first elected four years ago; Rich Heyman, a former UT Austin professor; Katie Kam, a civil engineer and former teacher; Kai Huang, who comes from a finance and tech background; and Dave Thadani, a UT student. "I'm proudly running for reelection because I think we've done a tremendous amount of work on issues that Austinites care about, but there's still a lot of work to be done," Qadri told FOX 7.

The field splits on Proposition I, which would require external audits of city spending. Qadri said he is not supporting it: "I am a big believer in the audit that's going to be done by the city, and I have full faith in our city auditor." Heyman also said he does not favor it, calling its requirements too burdensome as written. Kam backed the idea — "An audit by charter amendment, I think, would set the tone" — and Huang supported it as well: "Someone needs to be accountable for this spending. I'm supportive of Prop I because it creates accountability from outside, not just inside."

Project Connect divides them the other way. Qadri said: "I believe in Project Connect. I believe in laying the foundation for it," and pointed to more frequent bus routes and the e-bike program. Huang supports building it with private-sector accountability, Heyman — who said he voted for it — wants a reassessment because the plan "has been scaled back so much and the costs have gone up," and Kam said she would stop the light rail project and reassess the technology and approach, suggesting ideas including a monorail parallel to I-35 or Lamar. On homelessness and public safety, Qadri cited residents still unhoused and the need for mental-health and substance-abuse resources, while Kam argued that not addressing repeat offenders means "we're not addressing public safety."

Thadani did not respond to FOX 7's multiple requests for an interview; his campaign website lists priorities including improving walkability and transit, protecting green spaces, expanding affordable housing and creating a landlord transparency portal, per FOX 7. Heyman also described his arrest two years ago after the pro-Palestine protest at UT Austin — he was charged with interfering with public duties, the charge was ultimately dropped, and he later learned his university contract would not be renewed. District 9 voters decide on November 3; early voting runs through Friday, October 30.