Celia Israel is a Democratic politician from Austin, Texas, who currently serves as Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector, elected in 2024. Previously, she represented House District 50 in the Texas House of Representatives from 2014 to 2022, serving four and a half terms representing Northeast Travis County.

Israel was born in El Paso, Texas, and moved to Austin in 1982 to attend the University of Texas, becoming the first in her family to graduate college. She worked as an aide in the Ann Richards administration, which shaped her pragmatic approach to public service and policy-making. Her career has been marked by advocacy for voting rights, transportation, and good government issues.

During her legislative tenure, Israel earned recognition as "Freshman of the Year" in her first term and co-founded the LGBTQ Caucus in the Texas House in 2019. She served as a Democratic spokesperson on healthcare, education, and civil rights issues, and led the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee from 2019 to 2020. She was inducted into the Austin Women's Hall of Fame in 2018 and has been honored by organizations including Equality Texas, Texas Freedom Network, and Texas Democratic Women.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas
• First college graduate in her family

Political Experience

• Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector
• Texas House of Representatives, District 50
• House Democratic Campaign Committee Chair
• Co-founder of the LGBTQ Caucus in the Texas House
• Former Appointments Administrator in the Office of Governor Ann Richards
• Service on numerous community and city boards, including the Capital Area Food Bank, Girls Empowerment Network, Project Transitions, Austin Environmental Board, and Police Monitor Board