Council Member José “Chito” Vela represents District 4.
Hi there! My name is José “Chito” Vela, and I am your Austin City Council Member for District 4. Your perspective is important to me, and I hope to hear from you whenever you have an issue!
I was born in Laredo, Texas. I first moved to Austin to gain my bachelor’s in history at the University of Texas, which led me to fall in love with Austin as a city. In fact, I gained my master’s in public affairs and my law degree from UT Austin as well!
Before my election to City Council, I worked as an immigration and criminal defense lawyer at Walker Gates Vela, a law firm in District 4. My passion has always been defending the residents of Texas from forces that seek to marginalize them, and I am very proud of my record on immigration and criminal justice reform. This includes my legal experience as well as my time as President of the Board of the Worker’s Defense Project. Prior to my private law experience, I was General Counsel to Texas State Rep. Solomon Ortiz, Jr. (D).
Locally, I have extensive experience in both the political and social worlds of District 4. I served as President of the Blanton Elementary PTA for several years, in addition to my experience as Greg Casar’s Planning Commissioner. I have lived in Windsor Park for almost 20 years, and it’s where I’m raising my three wonderful children – Josue, Perla, and Camilo – alongside my beautiful wife, Fabiola.
Austin has been a welcoming and neighborly home for me, and I am working to ensure that it is the same for everyone who wants to make a home here. Above all, Austin must be a safe and thriving home for the working class, not a playground for the wealthy.
