Three council candidates back Higley for West U mayor

Three West University City Council candidates — all presumptive councilmembers-elect  — have endorsed Bob Higley for mayor.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Lauri Lankford, Ed Sobash and Kevin Trautner threw their support behind Higley, who is facing Kevin Boyle in the May 4 election. John Barnes was the only council candidate not included in the endorsement. With four seats up for grabs, the four first-time office-seekers will be elected, barring unforeseen circumstances.

 “I believe Bob has a good vision for our city and that he will actively listen to the voices of its citizens while promoting that vision,” said Lankford.

“One candidate stands heads and shoulders above all of us on this year’s City Council ballot,” Sobash said. “We need Bob’s experience and leadership.”

“While both candidates in this race for mayor are good people with a desire to serve West U, Bob’s deep West U knowledge and his extensive experience in many aspects of our city’s operations have earned him my endorsement to serve as West U’s next Mayor,” said Trautner. “The discernment Bob will bring to this brand new City Council is exactly the kind of leadership we need right now.”

Higley termed the endorsements a “humbling honor.”

Higley was elected to council in 2017, and Boyle was appointed to a vacant council seat last November.

Mayor Susan Sample and Mayor Pro Tem/Councilmember Mardi Turner are term-limited from seeking re-election, and with Higley and Boyle running for mayor and incumbent Councilmember Kellye Burke failing to file, there will be a new mayor and all new councilmembers after the balloting is completed.