After 18 years of working for the city of Austin, Betty Dunkerley's term as mayor pro tem and city council place 4 will end in June.
Place 5 Councilman Brewster McCracken will be take over as the mayor pro tem because, after Dunkerley and Mayor Will Wynn, he's been on the council longer than any of the current members.
"Generally, we try to vote based on seniority," Dunkerley said. "You look for the senior member for guidance because they have been here the longest. It's not because of power."
McCracken has been place 5 city council member since 2003, while place 3 member Jennifer Kim and place 1 member Lee Leffingwell have worked since 2005.
The mayor pro tem fills in for the mayor when he or she is not available. These duties may include running city council meetings, reading proclamation forms or attending ribbon cuttings to represent the city.
"I used to joke that people would be disappointed when the mayor wouldn't show up to their events," Dunkerley said. "I'd have to tell them they were stuck with me."
All council members have an equal vote and are required to work together to make decisions. Though the mayor pro tem position is elected according to experience, the position does not have more power than any other member's position, McCracken said.
Dunkerley said the most challenging job of a mayor pro tem is facing a controversial issue with more than two sides that can polarize
neighborhoods and communities.
A good mayor pro tem must have enough energy to handle the extra job and be dedicated to public service, Dunkerley said.
"It's a very nice honor to be elected," McCracken said. "[Dunkerley] has always been a leader, even before she was mayor pro tem. She's been the heart and soul of the city council."
Robin Cravey, Jennifer Gale, Cid Galindo, Laura Morrison, Sam Osemene and Ken Vasseau are the six candidates running for Dunkerley's city council place 4 position.
"From my experience, it is important to have council members that are open to new ideas, who are creative and who will listen and be fair," McCracken said.
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