Comment on Councilman Pennington ends run for mayor

The term-limited councilman, who represents west Houston's District G, said in a press release he would complete his third and final two-year term, which runs through the end of this year. The 75-year-old retired attorney's exit removes the candidate best positioned to secure conservative votes, said Rice University political scientist Mark Jones. Pennington said he will not endorse any mayoral hopeful in what he sees as a wide-open race, but said his vote will go to the candidate who best shows leadership abilities and focuses on financial sustainability and the efficient delivery of city services.