One week after filing to run, Kevin Boyle dropped out of the West University Place mayor’s race Friday, citing time constraints and family as his reasons. He asked to have his name removed from the ballot.
Boyle was opposing fellow Councilmember Bob Higley, who had attracted the endorsements of three of four council candidates earlier this week.
With Boyle dropping out, the election results are a foregone conclusion now. Higley will be mayor, and John Barnes, Lauri Lankford, Ed Sobash and Kevin Trautner — all first-time office-seekers — will serve on council. Lankford, Sobash and Trautner had supported Higley.
“As a husband and father first, I am committed to keeping my family at the center of my life,” Boyle said in his statement. “The time commitment required to have a positive campaign is beyond what I can give to our community at this time.”
Higley said of Boyle that he was “impressed with his commitment to making West U a great city” and that he “look(s) forward to Kevin continuing to serve how he sees best.”
Boyle, who was appointed last November to fill a council vacancy, gave up that seat to make a run for mayor. He had served three terms on the West University Parks Board, including as chair from 2015-17.
West U will still conduct an election on May 4, though, as council voted at its last meeting to place four charter amendments on the ballot.
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