Jose "Chito" Vela named Austin mayor pro tem effective Jan. 1

January 24, 2026

The Austin City Council appointed Jose "Chito" Vela as mayor pro tem on Jan. 1, marking the third consecutive holder of the post who graduated from the University of Texas. Vela represents District 4 and takes on the role that covers mayoral duties when the mayor is absent and increases the council member's public-facing responsibilities.

Vanessa Fuentes, who held the mayor pro tem post last year, described the job as a close stand-in for the mayor and an opportunity to deepen connections with residents. The council has moved to annual rotations for the position so more members can gain leadership experience and broader visibility across the city.

Vela has served on the City Council since 2022 and said he has concentrated much of his work in north Austin. In the new post he said he expects to adopt a wider perspective, traveling across neighborhoods and meeting people he has not encountered while focused on his district.

On the council, Vela serves as vice chair of the Housing and Planning Committee and has been outspoken on housing, transportation and public safety in public forums and on social media. He identified construction of a light rail line under Project Connect, intended to serve the campus corridor, as a top priority for his office.

Council leaders point out the annual rotation is deliberate, intended to give each member who wants the experience a turn. The council appointed Fuentes to serve as mayor pro tem for 2025 and designated Vela for 2026 during that process. The shift to one-year terms followed earlier disputes over the position, including a contentious 2020 episode that involved then-council member Greg Casar.

As mayor pro tem, Vela will represent Austin at events and assume the mayor's duties when required, responsibilities that broaden his role beyond District 4. Council members say collaboration and seniority guide the selection, and Vela's new title places him in a role that combines ceremonial duties with an expanded policy platform.