Jennifer Gale, a vivacious character, who ran for Austin mayor and other public offices on numerous occasions, was found dead, according to the Austin Fire Department.
The perennial candidate was discovered Wednesday morning in front of the First English Lutheran Church, at 3001 Whitis Ave., directly across the street from AFD Station 3, AFD spokeswoman Michelle DeCrane said in an e-mail.
The Station 3 crew responded to a 911 call that was made at approximately 7:30 a.m. They attempted to revive Gale for 30-45 minutes, but were unsuccessful, DeCrane said.
Gale was an interesting figure in Austin politics, and though she had no place to call home she felt most at home at City Hall in city council chambers, and behind the podium during citizen communications.
"She was a true iconic figure for Austin. She made most, if not all of our city council meetings," Austin City Council member Sheryl Cole said. "She had a deep commitment to making Austin a better place."
Gale ran for office nine times during her 11 years in Austin. Gale was questioned back in May why she keeps running for city council and for mayor.
"I never stop running," she said. "I love helping people and working with people."
No official cause of death has been determined. Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez said it's an opportunity to take into account the high number of homeless individuals in Austin.
"This is an opportunity for us to be aware of that fact that there are many folks – thousands of folks – each night looking for a place to stay and sleeping on our streets," he said.
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Perennial Candidate
News 8's Reagan Hackleman has reaction from city hall on Gale's sudden passing.
 
Jennifer Gale remembered
Austin City Council members say Gale was a 'true iconic figure' for Austin.
'Silent Night'
Jennifer Gale sings silent night at a recent Austin City Council meeting.
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"Jennifer was a constant presence at various public hearings, forums, and meetings in Austin and displayed a great love for and interest in our city," former Austin Mayor Bruce Todd said. "Her well-known catchphrase was 'Keep Austin, Austin.' While Jennifer no longer is here to physically trumpet that slogan, her personification of that expression will never be forgotten."
Gale was also a candidate in the 2009 Austin mayoral race. She was 44 years old.
She moved to Austin in 1997, shortly after which point she made her first bid for Austin mayor. She also ran for mayor in Dallas in 2007, and before that in 1995 as a write-in candidate. In 2002 Gale ran for Austin mayor again, against former Councilman Daryl Slusher, who is now with Austin Water Utility.
"One thing that really strikes me, is that every Christmas, she would come up and sing a song to the council," Slusher said. "So that sort of adds to the sadness of it."
Gale was signed up to speak Thursday before city council about the new president and the economy before Christmas. She also wanted to wish everybody in Austin a happy New Year.
