Austin community activist, businesswoman Rupal Chaudhari to file for Travis County Judge
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — Rupal Chaudhari was not very interested in politics – until politics took an interest in her. On January 25th, 2021, she and her husband learned, abruptly, from a local newspaper that the City of Austin planned to purchase a hotel in the same parking lot as their hotels for use as a "homeless shelter" – at a purchase price of $9.5 million.
The shelter was to house some 50-odd residents, and be located near schools and businesses – but far away from any necessary social services.
In an effort to increase fairness and transparency in local government, Mrs. Chaudhari and her husband Sanjay (at right,) began the "Stop Candlewood" movement to fight for better options for Austin's unhoused population. The Candlewood Suites Hotel targeted for purchase by the city is located near State Highway 45 and U.S. 183 in Austin. and is also partially located in the neighboring Williamson County.It is also adjacent to Chaudhari's business.
Now, Chaudhari is scheduled to announce her candidacy for Travis County Judge and file her candidate's paperwork at this evening's meeting of the Travis County Republican Party.
A lawyer and Hampton Inn & Homewood Suites CFO, Chaudhari's business later filed a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief, monetary relief, and a declaratory judgment against the City of Austin in an attempt to stop the sale of the Candlewood Suites hotel and prevent the finalized purchase “without proper notice and compensation for the loss of value of its properties and easement.”
“The City has engaged in a regulatory taking, constitutional due process violations, and is in violation of deed restrictions on an easement jointly held with Chaudhari Partnership,” said a statement released at the time.
With degrees from Company Secretaries of India, and a Master's degree from St. Mary's Law School, Chaudhari is a licensed immigration attorney with the State of New York, and currently manages the finances for the family's business holdings, including hotels and an electronics component distribution business.
A U.S. resident since 2007, and a citizen since 2010, she and her husband Sanjay live near Volente, where they raise 8-year-old twins.
