Pena touted his education, a bachelor of business administration degree with a major in accounting. He graduated in fall 2025, according to the University of Texas at Austin’s online records.

Four candidates running for TCAD board - The Austin Bulldog

Place 2 candidate Brian Pena rents an apartment on Guadalupe Street north of the University of Texas. He notes that “Renters are a significant portion of Austin’s population. I don’t think it hurts to have someone (on the TCAD board) with background as a renter.”

Brian Pena earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in fall 2025. He rents an apartment on Guadalupe Street north of the University of Texas.

Place 2—Brian Rolando Pena, 23, is running unopposed. He is a government relations and policy specialist for the Texas State Teachers Association.

Four candidates running-for-tcad-board/

Brian Pena works as a government relations and policy specialist for the Texas State Teachers Association.

Brian works as a government relations and policy specialist for the Texas State Teachers Association.

Until August 17th, he was a candidate for a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Austin Independent School District, but withdrew because of a "conflict with my employer," per a post on X. That same day he filed his application for the TCAD board position. Asked if the TCAD board seat was a "consolation prize," he said, "not at all. The Democratic Party has been working hard to recruit folks."

Brian withdrew from his candidacy for a seat on the Board of Trustees of the Austin Independent School District.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

Place 2 candidate Brian Pena rents an apartment on Guadalupe Street north of the University of Texas. He notes that “Renters are a significant portion of Austin’s population. I don’t think it hurts to have someone (on the TCAD board) with background as a renter.” Renters do pay property taxes, indirectly, as they are included as a portion of the tenant’s rental cost.

Said that having a board member with renter experience would be beneficial.

- Said that having a board member with renter experience would be beneficial.

Administration

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Brian Pena

Mauricio Mendez

Alejandra Gracias

- A board of directors member is an elected official who serves on the governing board of a special district, such as a municipal utility district (MUD).

- The board is responsible for overseeing the district’s operations, finances, and services, including utilities like water, wastewater, drainage, and infrastructure.

- Board members approve budgets, set tax rates or service fees, and make decisions about contracts and infrastructure projects within the district.

- The board ensures that the district complies with state laws and operates under the oversight of agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

- In many districts, the board consists of five members elected by residents. Directors must meet eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old, a Texas resident, and either a qualified voter or property owner within the district.

An official who oversees utilities, finances, and services in a district.