Austin City Council Outlook

Its more than 3 months away, but candidates are already lining up -- and running strong -- for Austin City Council. Earlier, it looked like we would have two tough races. Now, with perennial candidate Jennifer Gale the only opposition for environmentalist Lee Leffingwell, it appears the only real race (sorry, Jennifer) will be in Place 3, with Gregg Knaupe, Jennifer Kim, Mandy Dealey (who lost to Ann Kitchen in the Democratic Primary for State Rep District 48 in 2000) and the annointed front-runner Margot Clarke, who lost to current Councilman Brewster McCracken in a run-off in 2003. There's no way Clarke can pull this off without a run-off. I look for either Knaupe (who is excellently qualified for the council post having worked for the Texas Hospital Associationor and orchestrating last year's Healthcare District victory) or Kim to join her in the run-off, with Clarke probably winning in the end. But, we are still three months out (the election is in May) so everything could change ... and it probably will. As the election grows nearer, stay with The View from the Left for constant updates and analysis.