Bruce Todd
Bruce Todd | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Todd in 2019 | |
| 53rd Mayor of Austin | |
| In office June 15, 1991 – June 15, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Lee Cooke |
| Succeeded by | Kirk Watson |
| Member of the Travis County Commissioners Court | |
| In office 1987–1991 | |
| In office 2013–2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bruce Todd December 17, 1949 Breckenridge, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | December 25, 2021 (aged 72) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | The University of Texas at Austin (BBA) |
Bruce Todd (December 17, 1949 – December 25, 2021) was an American politician who served as the 53rd mayor of Austin from 1991 to 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Todd oversaw significant infrastructure and economic projects that shaped the city's modern landscape.
Early life and education
[edit]Bruce Todd was born on December 17, 1949,[1] in Breckenridge, Texas.[2] He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a business administration degree.[3][4] Before entering mayoral politics, he was a member of the Travis County Commissioners Court from 1987 to 1991.[5]
Political career
[edit]After Mayor Lee Cooke decided not to run for reelection 1991, Todd announced his mayoral campaign.[6] He ultimately defeated Austin City Council Member Robert Barnstone by a narrow margin of less than four percent.[7][8][9] In 1994, Todd ran for reelection against political editor Daryl Slusher. The race coincided with a contentious ballot initiative over domestic partner benefits for city employees, which substantially drove up the voter turnout. Todd once again won the election narrowly, this time by a margin of less than two percent.[10][11]
During his tenure, he successfully negotiated the federal transfer of the decommissioned Bergstrom Air Force Base and campaigned for a $600 million bond to establish Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.[6] Todd also partnered with Council Member Gustavo L. Garcia to pass Austin's landmark no-smoking law, oversaw the transfer of Brackenridge Hospital to Seton Healthcare Family, and championed local wilderness preservation.[12] He also recruited major employers such as Samsung austin semiconductor, AMD, and Applied Materials.[4]
In December 2005, Todd was involved in a bicycle accident on an organized ride south of Lockhart on Highway 183.[13] He sustained injuries to his facial bones, ribs, nose and scapula.[14] Todd was transported to Brackenridge Hospital by Caldwell County EMS. Todd's condition later improved, with doctors noting that wearing a bicycle helmet—a cause he championed during his tenure—saved his life.[15] Instead of flowers or cards, his family requested helmet donations for needy children.[16]
Todd later founded Bruce Todd Public Affairs and Rail Relo NOW. He served on the Travis County Commissioners Court again from 2013 to 2014 after Sarah Eckhardt resigned to run for County Judge.[17][18][19]
Todd passed away on December 25, 2021, at the age of 72, due to complications of Lewy Body disease.[4][20]
References
[edit]- ↑ Slusher, Daryl. "Bruce Todd: December 17, 1949 – December 25, 2021 - The Austin Independent". The Austin Independent. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Former two-term Austin Mayor Bruce Todd dies at 72 - CultureMap Austin". austin.culturemap.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- ↑ Austin, C. B. S. (December 25, 2021). "Former Austin Mayor, Bruce Todd, dies at 72". KEYE. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Clifton, Jo (January 5, 2022). "Former Mayor Bruce Todd leaves a lasting legacy". Austin Monitor. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- ↑ Reader, Grace (December 25, 2021). "Former Austin mayor Bruce Todd dies at 72". Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- 1 2 Staff, K. U. T. (December 26, 2021). "Former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd dies at 72". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Kirk Watson lost Travis County, but won tightest Austin mayoral race in decades". KXAN Austin. December 14, 2022. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Monday, May 20, 1991 special called | Austin City Council Archives". austincouncil.app. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Election History- Bruce Todd, May 4, 1991". services.austintexas.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ Clark-Madison, Mike (December 30, 2021). "Remembering Bruce Todd and Sarah Weddington". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Election History - Bruce Todd, June 4, 1994". services.austintexas.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Former Austin mayor Bruce Todd passes away at 72 on Christmas Day". FOX 7 Austin. FOX 7 Austin. December 25, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Bruce Todd's seriously injured in bike crash - Austin Business Journal". www.bizjournals.com. November 28, 2005. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
- ↑ Writer, Staff (September 28, 2011). "Todd rides again (or, How I Nearly Killed the Ex-Mayor)". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
- ↑ Smith, Amy (December 2, 2005). "Bike Spill Leaves Former Mayor Todd in Stable Condition". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Former Austin mayor injuried in weekend accident". Retrieved September 18, 2026.
- ↑ Austin, Craig Huber. "Former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd, 72, dies Christmas Day". spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- ↑ Thompson, Ben (December 27, 2021). "Bruce Todd, former Austin mayor and Travis County commissioner, dies at 72". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
- ↑ Staff, K. U. T. (June 3, 2013). "Update: Bruce Todd to Replace Travis Co. Commissioner Eckhardt". KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ Contreras, Michael Barnes, Natalia E. (December 26, 2021). "Former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd, 72, dies". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved September 13, 2026.
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