Rick Astray-Caneda III is from Austin, Texas. He attended Miami-Dade Community College and Florida International University. He has an associate of arts degree from Miami-Dade Community College. He also has a bachelor of arts in political science, a master's degree in public administration, and a doctor of philosophy in public affairs from Florida International University. He lives in the Highland neighborhood.

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About Resilient Capacity Advisors

Rick Astray-Caneda III is originally from Redland, Florida. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science and business, a master's degree in public administration, and a doctoral degree in public affairs from Florida International University. Rick lives in Austin, Texas.

Rick is a public sector and nonprofit strategy consultant. He works at his own consulting practice, where he has been for 12 years. He previously worked at state and local government agencies around the country, designing social service programs, operating models, and IT systems.

Meet the Democratic candidates in the 2026 race for Precinct 2 ...

Community Health Champions Class of 2024 - Central Health

Rick currently works as the senior program manager of worldwide flex research & insights for Amazon and a local coordinator for the Persons Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 for Austin Fast Track Cities. He previously worked at state and local government agencies around the country, designing social service programs, operating models, and IT systems.

Rick Astray-Caneda III's campaign for Travis County Commissioner, District 2 is his first entry into politics.

Rick's campaign for Travis County commissioner to represent District 2 is his first run for public office.

Plans to use grant funding to grow services while minimizing taxes.

Plans to leverage new laws to develop more affordable housing options and ensure supportive housing services are provided.

Plans to leverage new laws to develop more affordable housing options and ensure supportive housing services are provided when requested.

Supports using artificial intelligence and other tools in tandem with government staff to to lower taxes or keep them at current levels.

- Plans to use grant funding to grow services while minimizing taxes.
- Plans to leverage new laws to develop more affordable housing options and ensure supportive housing services are provided when requested.
- Supports using artificial intelligence and other tools in tandem with government staff to to lower taxes or keep them at current levels.

Economy

Supports the establishment of the Travis County Human Rights Commission as an advisory board for law enforcement to ensure fair and compassionate oversight that includes underrepresented groups.

Supports the creation of the Travis County Quality of Life Commission to ensure diverse representation and give a voice to underrepresented groups in county government.

Promises to not refuse anyone from using the right bathroom for them in county buildings, and willing to work with other local governments to sue the state to push back against new law.

Plans to work with clinics and nonprofits to make key vaccines available for the lowest cost possible at various locations and times that work best for working families.

- Supports the establishment of the Travis County Human Rights Commission as an advisory board for law enforcement to ensure fair and compassionate oversight that includes underrepresented groups.
- Supports the creation of the Travis County Quality of Life Commission to ensure diverse representation and give a voice to underrepresented groups in county government.
- Promises to not refuse anyone from using the right bathroom for them in county buildings, and willing to work with other local governments to sue the state to push back against new law.
- Plans to work with clinics and nonprofits to make key vaccines available for the lowest cost possible at various locations and times that work best for working families.

Public Services

As of January 22, 2026, Rick Astray-Caneda III’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Opposes entering into a compact with ICE and is willing to pursue legal action to resist state directives on the matter.

Opposes entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is willing to pursue legal action to resist state directives on the matter.

For Candidate Rick Astray-Caneda III on Issue public-safety:  
Supports increasing efforts to build community rapport between residents and county law enforcement.

Supports increasing efforts to build community rapport between residents and county law enforcement.

- Opposes entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is willing to pursue legal action to resist state directives on the matter.
- Supports increasing efforts to build community rapport between residents and county law enforcement.

Public Safety

Aims to build disaster resilience in Travis County by engaging residents, prioritizing improvements to the emergency alert system, and addressing flood preparedness.

- Aims to build disaster resilience in Travis County by engaging residents, prioritizing improvements to the emergency alert system, and addressing flood preparedness.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports advocating for cleaner, more environmentally friendly county operations to combat climate change.

Supports implementing green requirements for housing and buildings to ensure tax dollars are spent on environmentally friendly projects.

Supports greater reliance on solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources while ensuring efficiency in fossil-fuel powered vehicles and creating quality jobs.

Supports reducing county government waste through requirements for re-usables and compostables, and fully participating in regional planning to manage floods and wildfires.

- Supports advocating for cleaner, more environmentally friendly county operations to combat climate change.
- Supports implementing green requirements for housing and buildings to ensure tax dollars are spent on environmentally friendly projects.
- Supports greater reliance on solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources while ensuring efficiency in fossil-fuel powered vehicles and creating quality jobs.
- Supports reducing county government waste through requirements for re-usables and compostables, and fully participating in regional planning to manage floods and wildfires.

Energy & the Environment

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Rick Astray-Caneda III

- County commissioners vote on the budget and appropriations, which fund essential county services like road maintenance.
- They create and enforce civil and criminal laws that align with state regulations, including land use and construction codes.
- Commissioners implement state and federal mandates while overseeing county agencies and public buildings.
- They also set tax rates for the county and its subdivisions.
- Each Texas county has four commissioners and a county judge, forming the local governing body known as the Commissioners Court.