Kirk Watson — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

59th Mayor of Austin, serving since 2023
Served as 54th Mayor of Austin from 1997 to 2001
Elected to the Texas Senate from District 14 in 2006, serving until 2020
First dean of the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs
Co-founded the Austin law firm of Watson Bishop London & Galow in 1997
Graduated first in his class from Baylor Law School in 1981

Biography

Kirk Preston Watson is an American attorney and politician who currently serves as the 59th Mayor of Austin, a position he has held since 2023. He previously served as the 54th Mayor of Austin from 1997 to 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Watson was elected to the Texas Senate from District 14 in 2006, serving until 2020. During his time in the Senate, he chaired the Senate Democratic Caucus from 2011 to 2015 and was chosen by his colleagues to serve as president pro tempore.