Reality TV alum Farrah Abraham files to run for Austin City Council

Farrah Abraham, known for her reality television fame, has stepped into the political arena in Austin by submitting her candidacy for the City Council’s District 5 seat. This move follows her realization that her earlier attempt to run for mayor was premature by four years.

Abraham, known for her appearances on MTV’s “Teen Mom” and “16 & Pregnant,” officially filed her candidacy for the Austin mayoral race on Wednesday. During a Thursday interview with TMZ, she revealed that the next mayoral election is set for 2028.

During a follow-up interview with KXAN on Thursday afternoon, Abraham stated that her campaign promptly refiled the necessary paperwork to secure her position on the ballot for the District 5 City Council seat.

“I contacted the city and expressed my genuine interest,” Abraham stated, emphasizing her desire to engage with the community she calls home. “I have a deep affection for this city, and I am eager to engage and contribute to the community that I call home.”

In 2013, Abraham moved to Austin after spending his formative years in Council Bluffs, Nebraska. Her personal website presents her as a life coach, stand-up comedian, and OnlyFans content creator.

She emphasized that housing affordability is a crucial issue motivating her candidacy, especially for self-employed and contract workers. Abraham expressed her intention to collaborate with real estate and broker associations to address the obstacles she sees hindering creatives and independent workers from purchasing homes in Austin.

“I’m literally going to be collaborating with brokers associations and realtors associations, and I’m hopeful about stepping in to address this,” she stated, referring to what she characterized as outdated policies impacting self-employed buyers.

City council members, however, lack the power to alter state or federal tax laws, a point Abraham also highlighted as a focus of her efforts. Still, she said her goal is to help residents remain in Austin as housing costs rise.

“They shouldn’t feel as though they’re being pushed further away from Austin,” she stated. “It seems that all of my friends are constantly relocating.”

In response to inquiries regarding the current representative for District 5, Abraham admitted to lacking familiarity with the incumbent. “I’m not even sure who represents District 5,” she remarked.

District 5 is currently represented by Ryan Alter, who was elected in 2023. KXAN contacted Alter for a statement.

Abraham stated her intention to address a wide range of city issues if elected, conveying optimism about Austin's future. “I’m eager to uncover the truth behind the scenes,” she remarked.

The deadline for candidates running for Austin City Council is August 18.

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