Al Austin, a former Long Beach city council member and current Long Beach public utilities commissioner, is running for the Southern California Water Replenishment District Board of Directors, Division 3. The nonpartisan seat is on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot.

Austin told Random Lengths News that families "deserve clean, reliable water at a price they can afford" and that the district needs "leaders who understand how to balance fiscal responsibility with long-term investments that strengthen our communities."

Three other candidates are also running for the Division 3 seat: Mike Murchison, Tonia Reyes Uranga and Tracy Burns. All are listed as nonpartisan.

Candidate information

  • Name: Al Austin
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Education: Bachelor of science in public administration, University of La Verne
  • Current role: Member, Long Beach Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, appointed by Mayor Rex Richardson on Sept. 2, 2025, and confirmed by the Long Beach City Council on Sept. 16, 2025

Experience and public service

Austin represented District 8 on the Long Beach City Council from 2012 to 2024. During that time he chaired the Budget Oversight Committee and helped establish the city's ethics commission and independent redistricting commission, according to Random Lengths News.

His career began as a UAW aerospace worker at McDonnell Douglas, now Boeing, according to Long Beach Utilities records. He later served as a district field representative for state Sen. Kevin Murray and as campaign director for the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, according to Random Lengths News.

Austin said on his campaign website that he serves as political and legislative director at AFSCME Council 57, responsible for over 35,000 public service workers across California. He also served on the Gateway Cities Council of Governments board of directors and with the League of California Cities.

On the issues

Water policy: Austin's stated priorities for the water replenishment district board include protecting local groundwater supplies, managing taxpayer and ratepayer dollars responsibly, investing in reliable water infrastructure, preparing for future droughts and climate challenges, and strengthening partnerships to secure Southern California's long-term water future, according to Random Lengths News.

This profile draws on Austin's campaign website, Random Lengths News reporting and Long Beach Utilities records.