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Zohaib "Zo" Qadri is the current City Council Member for Austin Texas, District 9. He is the first Muslim and South Asian to serve on the Austin City Council.

Career
Zohaib "Zo" Qadri began his career as a community advocate and political campaigner. He worked on Beto O’Rourke's 2018 U.S. Senate campaign, Elizabeth Warren's 2020 presidential campaign, and various progressive causes and organizations. He also served as a legislative assistant in the Texas House of Representatives.

In 2022, he ran for election to the Austin City Council, representing District 9, which covers downtown and central Austin. He won the runoff election against Linda Guerrero with 51% of the vote, becoming the first Muslim elected to the city council. He took office on January 6, 2023.

As a council member, he has focused on addressing Austin’s housing crisis, expanding and improving public transit, and protecting and uplifting vulnerable communities. He also serves on several committees and boards related to local governance and civic engagement.

2022 District 9 Austin City Council Election
In 2022, Qadri ran for election to the Austin City Council, representing District 9, which covers downtown and central Austin. He was one of eight candidates vying for the seat vacated by Kathie Tovo, who reached a term limit. Qadri campaigned on addressing Austin's housing crisis, expanding and improving public transit, and protecting and uplifting vulnerable communities. He also highlighted his experience as a community advocate and political campaigner.

Qadri was the second-highest fundraiser in the race, with more than $92,700 in reported contributions through September. He received endorsements from several progressive groups and organizations, such as Ground Game Texas, Emgage USA, Austin Muslim Democrats, Asian Democrats of Central Texas, and Sunrise Movement Austin.

Qadri also received a notable endorsement from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whom he had worked for as a regional organizing director in South Carolina during her 2020 presidential campaign. Qadri’s campaign was only the second local campaign ever to earn Warren’s endorsement, after that of Seattle City Council member Teresa Mosqueda. Warren praised Qadri as a “fighter for working families” and a “champion for progressive values”.

Qadri advanced to the runoff election after placing first in the general election on November 8, with 30.04% of the vote. He faced Linda Guerrero, who came in second receiving 22.3% of the vote. In the runoff election on December 13, Qadri defeated Guerrero with 51% of the vote, becoming the first Muslim elected to the city council. He took office on January 6, 2023.