Farrah Abraham Briefly Jumps Into Austin Mayor’s Race, Then Switches to City Council Bid

Reality TV personality Farrah Abraham made headlines this week after announcing a run for mayor of Austin, Texas — only to quickly withdraw when she realized the next mayoral election isn’t until 2028.

Abraham, 34, revealed during an interview with TMZ on Thursday, Jan. 15, that she had filed paperwork to run for mayor the day before. While speaking live on air, she learned that Austin’s mayoral race is still two years away.

“I’m super excited to be a candidate for mayor of Austin,” Abraham said at the time, adding that she believed the election would take place in 2026. She claimed she had been told otherwise by city officials and said she didn’t regret acting early. “I loved that I jumped the gun,” she said.

Later that same day, Abraham told local station KXAN that her team had refiled paperwork to run for Austin City Council instead. She is now seeking the District 5 seat.

“I’m very serious about this,” Abraham said, explaining that she wants to be more involved in the city she has called home since 2013. “I love this city and I want to help where I live and breathe.”

Originally from Council Bluffs, Nebraska, Abraham rose to fame after appearing on Teen Mom and 16 & Pregnant in 2009. She is the mother of one daughter, Sophia.

In her interview with KXAN, Abraham said she wants to focus on a wide range of city issues, especially housing affordability and challenges faced by self-employed workers and creatives. She also admitted she wasn’t sure who currently represents District 5, suggesting local leaders lack visibility with residents.

“People definitely are not enthused with people who are in charge of the city or districts or mayor,” she said, adding that she hopes to help improve quality of life in Austin.

Abraham’s political move comes shortly after another reality TV star entered local politics. Spencer Pratt, best known for The Hills, recently announced his run for mayor of Los Angeles in the 2026 election. Pratt cited frustration with city leadership following the Los Angeles fires that destroyed his home.

The filing deadline for Austin City Council candidates is Aug. 18, while the Los Angeles mayoral election is scheduled for June 2, 2026.