Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has been immersed in public policy in both local and state government in Texas for three decades. He won his first term as Austin mayor in 1997 and earned praise for bringing different political factions together around transformative environmental and economic development initiatives. Watson returned to Austin City Hall in 2023 for a third term as mayor after serving more than 13 years in the Texas Senate, where he led on issues such as public education, healthcare and government transparency.  Watson also was the founding dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston.

In 1991, Watson was appointed by Gov. Ann Richards as Chair of the Texas Air Control Board, the agency charged with addressing air quality issues. As chair, he worked with the chair of the Texas Water Commission to create what is now called the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, created a statewide task force on environmental racism, and worked with the EPA to create the first-ever international air shed to address air quality in El Paso, Texas, among other achievements. 

During his first stint as Mayor of Austin in 1997, Watson worked with elected officials and business leaders from across the region to proactively improve air quality, resulting in an agreement called the Clean Air Compact, which helped keep the Austin region in attainment with federal rules. He also championed the purchase of land in the Texas Hill Country for preservation and acted to secure the city's long-term water supply. Watson has also served as the Chair to the Texas Advisory Board of Environmental Defense Fund. He’s environmental work has been recognized by the Sierra Club, the Save Our Springs Alliance, and the Nature Conservancy, among others.

In his early 30’s, Watson had multiple surgeries and chemotherapy related to metastatic testicular cancer. He survived thanks early, effective, and frequent healthcare. The experience helped to shape his policy agenda to improve health and healthcare for everyone. In 2011, Watson laid out his 10 Goals in 10 Years to transform Austin, in part, by leading the creation of a medical school at the University of Texas at Austin. Travis County voters backed Watson’s vision in 2012 and approved a local property tax increase to invest in the medical school, which welcomed its first class of students in 2016. 

Building upon the success of Dell Medical School, the University of Texas System recently announced a $2.5 billion investment to create two new world-class medical facilities at UT Austin, including a partnership with the MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

As a result of his numerous health care efforts, Watson has been honored by the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and NAMI Austin. The American Medical Association recognized him with the prestigious Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.

He is a recipient of the prestigious President’s Citation from The University of Texas at Austin and the Pro Texana Medal of Service from Baylor University. The Baylor Line Foundation (formerly the Baylor Alumni Association) named him a Distinguished Alumnus. Austin Community College awarded him an honorary degree. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas gave him its Open Government Lawmaker of the Year award, and the Texas Press Association named him a Friend of the First Amendment. The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce also has named him Austinite of the Year.

As the current Austin Mayor, Watson has been laser-focused on making sure every Austinite has the opportunity to succeed. He has led on the enactment of historic land-use reforms and the creation of the Austin Infrastructure Academy. His priorities include housing, workforce development, homelessness, mobility, climate resilience, and Generation ATX: a movement to make Austin the best place to be a kid.