Reality television personality Farrah Abraham’s entrance into Austin politics took an unexpected turn after she announced a mayoral run, learning during a live TV interview that the election isn’t for another two years.
The former Teen Mom star revealed this week on social media that she planned to run for mayor of Austin in 2026, quickly drawing attention online. She later appeared on TMZ Live on Thursday to discuss her campaign, dressed in a pink business suit with an updo hairstyle and glasses.
During the interview, hosts questioned her timeline.
“So sometimes people say the less you know, the more you like,” TMZ host Harvey Levin said. “You are now giving them many years to make a decision because the election is not until 2028. Why so early?”
“Oh, for some reason, the mayor election is 2026,” she said, adding, “That’s just what the office told me as well.”
🔥🚨DEVELOPING: Hollywood personality Farrah Abraham is running for mayor in Austin Texas for 2026 but didn’t know that the election won’t happen until 2028.
— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) January 16, 2026
TMZ broke the news to her while live on air, she had a full campaign running for 2026 and had no idea there was no… pic.twitter.com/9pTwsLWjZM
“We should get some clarity here,” Levin said.
As the conversation continued, Abraham appeared unsure about the difference among local, district, and federal races.
“So am I running for district? So, district will be, which is federal. I’m running local right now,” Abraham said. “So local is a little bit different than federal.”
A host attempted to clarify, asking whether she meant a city council seat representing a specific district. Abraham insisted she was pursuing the mayor’s office.
“So I’m just going to be running for mayor, which is 2026,” she said.
The hosts then asked producers to contact Austin City Hall for confirmation.
“Please call the city hall in Austin, Texas, and find out when the election for mayor is in Austin,” Abraham said.
Minutes later, the hosts delivered the news.
“So it is 2028. So I think you might have jumped the gun here,” Levin said.
Abraham acknowledged the confusion, but leaned into the moment.
“I love that I jumped the gun,” she said and repeated, “I love if I jumped the gun.”
She added that having more time could work in her favor.
“I’m happy if there’s more time. Cause I would rather lots of time,” she said.
During the interview, Abraham confirmed she had already taken steps toward launching her campaign.
“Yes. So I’m on their public webpage. I have a bank account open. I can receive charities, donations. We can do events,” she said.
Shortly after the on-air confusion, Abraham clarified her political plans in a statement, confirming she is no longer pursuing the mayor’s office and will instead seek a seat on the Austin City Council.
Abraham also released a six-point platform that will guide her campaign, including proposals focused on family planning, worker protections, veterans’ services, public safety, survivor advocacy, and senior housing.
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The reality star first rose to fame in 2009 on MTV’s 16 and Pregnant, where she documented her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter, Sophia.
Despite the early confusion surrounding her mayoral announcement, Abraham says she is embracing the learning curve — even joking that Austin’s famously quirky reputation fits the moment.
