Selena Xie Brings Frontline Experience to Austin City Council District 8 Race
"...I’ve advocated for first responders at the negotiation table. Now, I want to bring that same level of commitment and problem-solving to City Hall.”
In Austin’s rapidly growing District 8, a new candidate is shaking up the city council race with a background rarely seen in local politics. Selena Xie, a Chinese American community advocate and EMS Commander, has officially launched her campaign to represent the district in the upcoming election.
Born and raised in Texas, Xie is no stranger to public service. Her parents emigrated from Beijing, with her father pursuing a research career at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Xie herself was born in Texas and has spent most of her life in Austin.
“I’ve seen this city change, grow, and struggle firsthand,” Xie said in an interview. “I’ve worked on the streets responding to 911 calls, and I’ve advocated for first responders at the negotiation table. Now, I want to bring that same level of commitment and problem-solving to City Hall.”
After graduating from Amherst College, one of the nation’s top liberal arts institutions, Xie chose a career path in public service over more lucrative private sector opportunities. She earned her EMT certification at Austin Community College and later became a registered nurse through Texas Tech University. Over the years, she worked her way from EMT to ICU nurse, and now serves as an EMS Commander for the City of Austin.
(Screenshot from selenaforaustin.com)
Turning Advocacy into Action
For the past six years, Xie has served as president of the Austin EMS Association, representing more than 700 emergency responders. Under her leadership, the association successfully negotiated a 25% pay increase for members, introduced mental health support systems, and significantly reduced employee turnover rates.
“Selena knows how to turn vision into results,” said Juan Garcia, a fellow EMS responder and long-time colleague. “She’s not just making promises. She’s already been delivering for years.”
Xie said these experiences taught her how city policies directly affect frontline workers and the community.
“Policy isn’t just something written on paper. It impacts how fast help arrives when you call 911, whether your street gets fixed, or how affordable your rent is,” Xie said.
A Platform Rooted in Service
If elected, Xie said she plans to focus on four key areas:
Expanding affordable housing
Improving infrastructure
Strengthening community communication channels
Promoting fairness and professionalism in public safety
Her time in EMS, she said, gives her a unique perspective on the city’s most vulnerable populations.
“Every day, EMS responders see the people who fall through the cracks of our systems—people without housing, without healthcare, without support,” Xie said. “I want to bring that real-world perspective into policymaking.”
A Battle Against the Incumbent Machine
The District 8 race took an interesting turn when current Council Member Paige Ellis, who is term-limited after serving two consecutive terms, launched a petition effort to bypass the city’s term limit rules and seek a third term.
If Ellis collects signatures from at least 5% of registered voters in the district, she will qualify to run again—potentially setting up a high-profile showdown between a long-time incumbent and a community-based challenger.
While Ellis has been credited with delivering some infrastructure projects during her tenure, critics have pointed to slow response times and poor constituent communication.
“People are ready for a leader who not only understands policy but has lived the consequences of those policies,” Xie said. “I’ve been on the frontlines. I know what’s working and what’s broken.”
June 30: A Critical Fundraising Deadline
With the petition deadline looming and campaign season heating up, June 30 marks a crucial fundraising benchmark for Xie’s campaign.
Campaign advisors say that reaching fundraising targets by this date could dramatically shift the race’s momentum, signaling strong community support and potentially discouraging opponents from continuing their bids.
“We’re asking our supporters to step up now,” said Amy Chen, Xie’s campaign manager. “Whether it’s $20 or $200, every dollar helps build the grassroots campaign Selena is running.”
Representation Beyond District 8
Beyond the immediate race, Xie’s candidacy carries larger significance for Austin’s Asian American community.
Currently, the Austin City Council has no East Asian American members. Despite the city’s fast-growing Asian population and their significant contributions to the local economy and education sectors, political representation has lagged behind.
“Selena’s campaign is historic,” said Dr. Grace Lin, a political science professor at UT Austin specializing in minority representation. “It’s not just about one district. It’s about ensuring that Austin’s leadership reflects the diversity of its residents.”
Xie agrees. “I’m not just running for office. I’m running to give a voice to people who’ve been underrepresented for far too long,” she said. “This isn’t just my race—it’s our community’s race.”
How to Support
Supporters can donate to Xie’s campaign at:
https://donateway.com/donate/shrrpocq/selena-for-austin
They can also sign up to volunteer here:
https://selenaforaustin.com/Support.html
Xie’s campaign urges residents to contribute, volunteer, and spread the word.
“Politics isn’t something that happens far away. It’s here. It’s now,” Xie said. “Together, we can build a better Austin—for everyone.”