Gary S. Spellman, a seasoned cosmetics executive and dedicated philanthropist, is embarking on an ambitious campaign for the position of Austin mayor. He aims to foster a political environment that is less divisive and significantly more transparent. His campaign promises to prioritize unity and constructive dialogue, establishing a new standard for political engagement in the city.
“We’re stronger together,” Spellman expressed in a recent interview. At 56 years old, he highlights the unprecedented divisiveness currently plaguing the city. He articulates the frustration of being categorized into rigid political identities, likening it to sports rivalries where allegiance to one side precludes support for another. This mentality, he believes, exacerbates the division, creating an “us versus them” dynamic that fails to reflect the realities of community.
Spellman is committed to supporting “good ideas from both sides” of the political spectrum. In his campaign launch video, he emphasized the importance of “cooperation,” “critical thinking,” and “accountability” in governance. While he refrained from detailing specific policies, he criticized both politicians and the media for perpetuating division rather than fostering unity among constituents.
Co-founding Ultimate Face Cosmetics, Spellman has maintained a strong partnership with John Paul DeJoria, the billionaire co-founder of the Paul Mitchell hair care line and founder of Patrón Spirits Co. DeJoria is also a prominent supporter of homeless services in Austin, showcasing a commitment to community welfare that Spellman mirrors.
Alongside DeJoria, Spellman initiated a charity motorcycle ride, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. This event symbolizes their joint efforts to give back to the community while promoting a spirit of camaraderie among participants.
As a political newcomer and independent candidate who is not accepting campaign donations, Spellman advocates for a city council that prioritizes innovative solutions over the influence of established power players. He envisions a council more reflective of Austin’s diversity and is eager to introduce fresh perspectives to the governing body.
“I would like to see a more diverse city council,” Spellman stated, acknowledging that while 74 percent of the city identifies as Democrat, he believes it is crucial to include a wider array of viewpoints. He pointed out the current composition of the council, comprised of ten Democrats out of eleven members, and raised concerns about the potential stagnation that could arise from such a lack of diversity.
“For 38 years, this city has been governed by a single playbook dominated by Democrats,” he remarked, clarifying that he does not criticize the party itself but is advocating for increased representation and diversity in political thought on the council.
Using a sports metaphor, Spellman explained the pitfalls of a one-dimensional political approach: “Just like in sports, teams eventually figure out strategies, leading to losses. Repeating the same tactics yields predictable results, stalling progress and creating an echo chamber where the same people benefit, while crucial decisions are made in private meetings, hindering the city’s advancement.”
At a candidate forum hosted by the Black Professional Alliance on August 5th, Spellman reiterated that the city’s political challenges stem from outdated practices. “The big frustration I see in this city right now is nobody is listening. Effective governance requires delegation, active listening, and decisive action—slow responses only exacerbate issues,” he stated.
Gary Spellman’s Extensive Career in Cosmetics
With over 25 years of experience in the cosmetics industry, Spellman has excelled in various roles encompassing field sales, sales management, distribution, manufacturing, and salon coordination, as detailed on his campaign website. His diverse background equips him with a comprehensive understanding of business operations and customer engagement.
Before establishing himself in the cosmetics realm, Spellman worked as a doorman at a club in Newport, Rhode Island, where he crossed paths with DeJoria. He regards this encounter as a “pivotal personal and professional moment,” signaling the start of a lasting friendship and a fruitful partnership with John Paul Mitchell Systems.
In 1997, Spellman relocated to Austin, coinciding with DeJoria’s move. Together with his wife, Laurie Spellman, he operated Ultimate Salon Services, the exclusive distributor for Paul Mitchell products in southern and central Texas. After selling the distributorship about a decade ago, they launched their own cosmetics line, Ultimate Face Cosmetics, which is headquartered in Round Rock. This company also provides training for aspiring makeup artists.
As the CEO of Ultimate Face Cosmetics, Spellman oversees a team of five full-time employees and nearly 200 independent contractors, as shared with the Bulldog. He continues to foster his relationship with John Paul Mitchell Systems as a goodwill ambassador, further solidifying his connections within the industry. Notably, DeJoria’s wife, Eloise DeJoria, is a partner in Ultimate Face Cosmetics.
When asked how his extensive business experience has prepared him for a mayoral role, Spellman emphasized his proficiency in managing budgets and caring for employees. He also acknowledged that his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic provided him with insight into the challenges faced by the private sector.
Philanthropic Efforts and Political Aspirations
The charity co-founded by Spellman and DeJoria, the Peace*Love*Happiness Charity Motorcycle Ride, supports the 100 Club of Central Texas, which provides assistance to the families of fallen or injured first responders. In previous years, this charity has also aided the Austin Children’s Shelter, now part of the SAFE Alliance, among various other causes dedicated to community welfare.
While the name of the charity echoes that of DeJoria’s larger family foundation, JP’s Peace Love and Happiness Foundation, the two entities operate independently. Spellman clarified that the motorcycle ride was established prior to the foundation and highlighted the key distinction: the foundation does not solicit external funds, whereas the motorcycle ride serves as a fundraising initiative.
In terms of political experience, Spellman is relatively inexperienced, noting during the August 5th candidate forum that his last involvement in politics was as a junior class president, an experience he humorously described as he was impeached for not attending meetings. This lack of experience has not deterred his ambition to engage with the political landscape of Austin.
Spellman’s interest in running for mayor was sparked during the pandemic, which led him to regularly watch city council meetings. His conclusion? “These city council meetings are a joke. They don’t accomplish much. While they claim to be progressive, they often stall in implementing meaningful change,” he criticized.
Positioning himself as a “purple” candidate—neither strictly Republican nor Democrat—Spellman has embraced a unique campaign slogan, printing T-shirts that read, “Stop crying the blues, stop seeing red, vote purple instead! Spellman for mayor.”
Spellman’s Nonpartisan Stance and Community Focus
Spellman’s close friend DeJoria, whom he refers to as his “top advisor,” has a history of contributing to candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties, including U.S. Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco), and Michael McCaul (R-Austin), as documented by the Federal Election Commission. DeJoria’s contributions also extend to several of Donald Trump’s GOP primary rivals in 2016.
Despite DeJoria’s political contributions, Spellman has refrained from making any donations himself and typically avoids participating in party primaries. Since 1998, he has voted 13 times in Travis County, without ever participating in a Democratic primary and only once in a Republican primary, which occurred in 2022, as per voter registration records. “I’m in the middle,” Spellman conveyed to the Bulldog. “I always select candidates based on their alignment with my values.”
In an endorsement video shared on Spellman’s Instagram on July 22nd, DeJoria declared, “Gary Spellman would be a sensational mayor. Gary is not with any political party, and there’s a good reason behind it. Politicians often face obligations when tied to a party or receive substantial donations, which isn’t the case for Gary.”
DeJoria emphasized Spellman’s unique approach: “Can you name any mayor in the last 50 or 100 years, or any prominent politician who refuses to accept donations? He won’t take a dime. If you wish to support his campaign, you can only do so by donating to a charity.”
This statement underscores Spellman’s request for potential supporters to contribute to various charities rather than directly funding his campaign.
DeJoria continued, “He’s an entrepreneur brimming with energy and passion… Gary aims to represent everyone—the entire community. Not just those from the right or the left, but all citizens, including business owners and the homeless. I wholeheartedly believe in him, and many others share the same sentiment, offering their support and guidance to Gary.”
However, it’s worth noting that Spellman’s decision to decline donations may hinder his ability to cultivate an active base of support and attract new backers. His opponents, including GOP candidate Jennifer Virden, former State Representative Celia Israel, and former State Senator Kirk Watson, are running well-funded campaigns that allow for advertising, distribution of campaign materials, and staffing.
Even though Spellman claims he is not raising funds for his campaign, he is still obligated to report any campaign expenditures to the City Clerk. The city typically exempts candidates from these reporting requirements if they sign an agreement to accept no more than $940 in political contributions or expenditures, excluding filing fees. However, Spellman did not enter into such an agreement. When questioned about this, he mentioned that he is still familiarizing himself with the reporting requirements and will address any issues accordingly.
Spellman’s Perspectives on Key City Policies
Although Spellman’s campaign does not center on specific policy issues, he has expressed his views on several pressing topics during the Black Professional Alliance candidate forum on August 5th. Regarding housing affordability, he attributed the challenges to excessive “red tape” that complicates regulations and hinders rapid development. He praised fellow candidate Celia Israel’s proposal to permit more duplexes and fourplexes, advocating for a more flexible approach to housing development.
Nevertheless, upon further reflection in an interview with the Bulldog, Spellman cautioned that Israel’s proposals, while beneficial, would not resolve the entire housing crisis, calling it “just one microcosm” of a larger issue requiring comprehensive solutions.
When discussing the topic of police funding, Spellman subtly criticized the city’s decision to cut the police budget in 2020, while emphasizing the need for a diverse police force that exercises restraint. He articulated, “Citizens must feel safe; they shouldn’t feel threatened by anyone in uniform, regardless of who they are.”
“You cannot have a city without a police force, but it is essential that our police department reflects the progressive values of Austin,” he added. “We must handle situations effectively, without resorting to force.”
Interestingly, Spellman’s campaign treasurer is John Noetzel, an officer with the Austin Police Department, underscoring his commitment to engaging with law enforcement issues directly.
In interviews, Spellman has also expressed concerns regarding the city’s strategies for addressing homelessness, particularly criticizing the council’s approach to public camping regulations. “It frustrates me that our administration and council members have examined failing cities like San Diego and New York for solutions. How can these comparisons help us understand the unique homelessness challenges we face?” he lamented.
Spellman advocates for funding vital services for the homeless, supporting organizations like Mobile Loaves and Fishes and The Other Ones Foundation. He believes, however, that these services must align with societal rules: “We can’t simply set up tents and allow people to sleep wherever they choose. This approach erodes empathy and sympathy towards the homeless.”
On the subject of taxation, Spellman scrutinized a recent proposal by City Manager Spencer Cronk to maximize tax revenue as permitted by state law, questioning, “Why? Where will that money go? We need more transparency,” he insisted.
Concerning environmental issues, Spellman expressed his desire for increased green spaces and stricter restrictions on water usage for lawn irrigation. “If we drain that lake, we’re in big trouble,” he warned, referencing Lake Travis and the environmental implications of water scarcity.
Gary Spellman’s Personal Life and Interests
Spellman and his wife, Laurie, are proud parents to one son, Dakota. In his leisure time, Spellman enjoys mountain bike racing and is an enthusiastic motorcyclist. His passion for motorcycles earned him a place in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame in 2016, highlighting his dedication to the sport.
A public records check conducted by the Bulldog revealed that Spellman has a history of several traffic violations, including state highway speeding offenses in 2012 and 2015, an unsafe movement offense in 2014, and speeding in a 30 mph zone in 2015.
According to Travis County appraisal records, Spellman resides in The Arbor at Great Hills neighborhood of northwest Austin, where he and his wife purchased their property in 1999.
Overview of Other Candidates in the Mayoral Race
Spellman is among eight candidates vying for the mayoral seat in this election cycle. The competition includes Craig Allan Blanchard (37), Anthony Bradshaw (62), Phil Campero Brual (22), former State Representative Celia Marie Israel (57), Erica Ann Nix (40), Jennifer Marie Virden (54), who previously ran for the Place 10 council seat in 2020, and former State Senator Kirk Watson (64), who served as mayor from 1997 to 2001.
The Bulldog will continue to offer comprehensive coverage of the other candidates as the election progresses.
Trust indicators: Bulldog reporter Daniel Van Oudenaren is a journalist with 13 years of experience in local, state, and international reporting.
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