Riley bows out of runoff, Tovo in

As was widely reported late Friday afternoon, Council Member Chris Riley will withdraw from the District 9 runoff. His move clears the way for Council Member Kathie Tovo to become the District 9 representative, and ends the would-be runoff in that race. “I remain dedicated to the ideals and policies I’ve championed, and I feel there is a path to victory in the runoff,” Riley wrote in a release announcing his decision. “But I also feel that, as we begin this new era with a new council, a contest that creates negativity and division is not how we should set the tone for Austin going forward. I would rather work together with Kathie and with the new council members, as an advocate, to solve the challenges we face.”