With valid petition, Tovo set to run for third term

Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, District 9’s representative on City Council, on Tuesday turned in 4,752 signatures from voters in her district in order to run for a third Council term. By the end of the day, Tovo told the Austin Monitor, City Clerk Jannette Goodall had validated the signatures, assuring Tovo a spot on the November ballot. Tovo pointed out that she only needed 3,500 signatures, but with 80 volunteers and some paid help she was able to gather many more than that. She said gathering the signatures was a great experience for her and her volunteers who talked to thousands of voters in the district. The campaign started gathering signatures on Jan. 27 and from that point had six months to complete the effort, she said. Her opponents are Danielle Skidmore and Linda O’Neal. Political consultant David Butts told the Monitor that he expects a strong effort from Skidmore with support from “certain elements of the Real Estate Council of Austin and the Chamber of Commerce.” The main issue for those groups, he said, relates to new urbanism. He concluded, “I think the other side thinks they’re going to slam her and attack her on many fronts and we’re prepared for that. I assure you we’ll give as good as we get.” Tovo defeated then-Council Member Randi Shade in 2011, and then she beat Council Member Chris Riley in 2014 when the two were paired as a result of the change to single-member districts.