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UT freshman aims for Austin City Council seat
Thadani cited housing concerns and student underrepresentation as key drivers.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 18, Apr 2026
- 17:55 EDT
- 33
Ravi Thadani / daveforaustintx.com
A freshman at the University of Texas at Austin has entered the race for Austin City Council’s District 9 seat, making him among the youngest contenders in the race.
Dave Thadani, a computer science student, said his decision to run was shaped by his early interest in politics and what he described as a disconnect between city leadership and residents.
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Thadani said his interest in public office began during the 2016 U.S. presidential election and that he started preparing to run after enrolling at the university.
“Austin residents have been left in the dark, and the city has failed to be transparent on multiple occasions,” his statement on the campaign website reads.
Framing his campaign around transparency and accountability in District 9, which includes the university campus, West Campus and downtown Austin, areas with a high concentration of student renters, Thadani has made housing and renter protections a central part of his platform.
Thadani said students, particularly first-time renters, face challenges navigating leases and housing conditions.
He has proposed a landlord transparency portal compiling public records of maintenance complaints and code violations, and has called for greater awareness of Austin’s 3-1-1 system for reporting non-emergency issues.
His platform also includes support for advancing the University Neighborhood Overlay, a redevelopment plan aimed at increasing housing density in West Campus, along with measures focused on sustainable development and expanding green spaces.
Thadani said his candidacy is also aimed at increasing participation among students and young residents in local governance.
“I really want to show people that anyone, regardless of political background, can run for office,” he said, citing civil rights activist Ella Baker as a key influence.
The youngster has emphasized grassroots organizing and collective decision-making, describing his campaign as “a movement to restore actionable change that is wanted by the community.”
He is challenging incumbent Zohaib Qadri, along with former UT professor Rich Heyman and UT alumna Katie Kam.
The election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
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