Throughout his career and public service, José “Chito” Vela’s goal has always remained the same — to improve the lives of working families. He is a father of three who works everyday with people who are struggling to make it in Austin.

Chito has worked as an immigration & criminal defense attorney, as the Board Chair for the Workers’ Defense Project where he fought for fair wages and safe working conditions for construction and farm workers, and as Greg Casar’s appointee to the City of Austin Planning Commission, where he fought for more housing for working and middle class families.