Casar looking likely as mayor pro tem

With Delia Garza leaving the city to become Travis County Attorney, there is an opening for the largely ceremonial position of mayor pro tem. District 4 Council Member Greg Casar said on the City Council Message Board Wednesday that he had the support of Council members Leslie Pool, Ann Kitchen and Pio Renteria, as well as incoming Council Member Vanessa Fuentes. He also told the Austin Monitor that Mayor Steve Adler had indicated he too would support Casar. Casar, who easily won reelection in November, said, “This year the job of being in local government has been more important than ever.” He said in the new role he would still represent his district but would also plan to take on “a new role citywide to make sure I’m supporting Council members to get their work done across the city.” Casar said he is interested in addressing issues throughout the city, including homelessness. As a press release from his office said, “At 31, Casar will become Austin’s youngest-ever mayor pro tem.”