Covington Commissioner James Toebbe has dropped out of the race for the city’s new six-member council, becoming the third candidate to withdraw.
“This wasn’t an easy decision to make, but at the end of the day, I feel like it is the right decision for me and my family,” Toebbe wrote in his announcement. “Growing up in Covington, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to serve my hometown as an elected official. It’s something I have never taken for granted, and I am truly grateful that the people of this city gave me that opportunity.”
He declined to comment further when contacted. Toebbe now joins Tyesha Gordon and Tom Hull as candidates who have withdrawn, bringing the field to seven. Only two incumbents now remain in the running for a spot on the council: Tim Downing and Tim Acri. The new council will have six seats.
Covington’s current city manager form of government will dissolve at the end of this year to be replaced by a new mayor-council form of government. Under the new form of government, the mayor’s seat gets more executive power, and council members’ primary duty is setting the city budget.