Gregorio Eduardo Casar (born May 4, 1989) is an American politician who is the member for Texas's 35th congressional district in the United States Congress since 2023.

[11][12] Casar then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and social thought from the University of Virginia in 2011.

"[26] Casar considered running for the Texas Senate seat held by retiring Kirk Watson, but he declined.

[27] As an Austin City Council member, Casar led policy efforts on issues ranging from affordable housing, paid sick leave, living wage increases, tenant organizing, immigrant rights, criminal justice reforms (such as "ban the box"), and police accountability.

[31] During the primary, he was endorsed by prominent national progressives, including senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,[32] as well as Austin officials such as Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County district attorney José Garza.

[34] On November 8, 2022, Casar won the general election, defeating the Republican nominee, former Corpus Christi mayor Dan McQueen, with 73% of the vote.

[37] On July 25, 2023, Casar led a thirst strike advocating for better heat protection after a law passed in Texas overrode local ordinances such as water and rest breaks.

[38] In 2016, Casar led efforts at City Hall to "ban the box" through a fair chance hiring ordinance.

[46] In June 2017, Casar and Delia Garza pushed the council to eliminate criminal penalties for a juvenile to "walk, run, idle, wander, stroll, or aimlessly drive" during curfew hours, out of a belief that kids should not be pushed into the criminal justice system for being young and out in public.

[50] Casar, Jimmy Flannigan, and other Council members indicated their intent to reject the contract and send the union back to the bargaining table unless it was reformed.

[58] The council voted unanimously to eliminate upcoming cadet classes in the police academy, diverting $20 million to programs that address homelessness, mental health, and family violence prevention.

During the year after the budget vote, another $80 million will be reallocated from the department by placing some functions, such as forensics and 911 dispatch, within other parts of the city's government.

"[62] After a large campaign, Proposition A passed with the support of over 70% of voters, the largest affordable housing bond in Austin's history.

[67] Throughout 2015, Casar and his colleague Sabino "Pio" Renteria pushed for housing reforms to allow more "granny flats" or garage apartments ("accessory dwelling units," or ADUs) to be built in Austin.

[68] The reforms ultimately allowed an additional home on most legal lots in the city, and waived minimum parking requirements if they were built near transit.

[70] In early 2015, after hearing of the successful campaign at Stonegate, Casar received reports from North Lamar Community Mobile Home Park that the new owner had raised rent and utility costs.

[71] ARNL organized with Casar and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid to sue the new owner, Frank Rolfe, who had raised rents by 10-25%.

"[72] Ultimately, residents were forced to sign new leases at the higher rents or leave the community, but the eviction notices they received were rescinded.

[77] Shortly after Travis County sheriff Sally Hernandez was elected in 2016, she implemented policies to make Austin a sanctuary city.

[83] Casar proposed in a New York Times opinion piece that SB4 must be protested at every possible stage, lest laws like it be passed in other states.

[87] Casar in 2022 wrote in Jewish Insider that he believes the people of Israel and Palestine both deserve to live in "peace and security", and that the "clearest path" toward achieving that goal was through a two-state solution.

[90] However, after the Israeli bombardment of Gaza began in 2023, Casar has been a proponent of an immediate ceasefire and has been opposed to offensive military aid for Israel.

The statement pled for the United States to rather help achieve a ceasefire to allow for the freeing of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the beginning of peace talks.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Restaurant Association (state chapter of the National Restaurant Association), and the Texas chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business opposed the requirement, but the campaign ultimately saw a successful vote of the city council for a modified version of Casar's proposal.

[103] During the 2019 legislative session, Republican state lawmakers filed bills to overturn the ordinance,[104] causing protests from a coalition of unions and grassroots organizations.

A representative of the NFIB says the bills failed to pass due to a growing progressive movement in Texas, saying: "I think they’re winning in a red state.

[106][107] In February 2024, he penned a letter to the Biden administration, outlined significant issues regarding the 2024 Pakistani general election and urged them to refrain from recognizing the coalition government.