Laura Morrison

Photo by Jana Birchum

With City Council candidate forums ramping up, now's a good time to look at the endorsement tally in this year's spring races.

Place 1: Incumbent Chris Riley has locked in the Democratic endorsing clubs, the Austin Board of Realtors, the Central Labor Council, the three public safety unions, and everyone else we know of that has endorsed in Place 1. Two orgs – the Austin Neighborhoods Council and Better Austin Today PAC – didn't offer any endorsements in Riley's race. The ANC applauded Riley's anti-Water Treatment Plant No. 4 stance, but "challenge him to demonstrate more leadership based upon his passion and background."

Place 3: In the season's most competitive race, incumbent Randi Shade got off to an early start, but Kathie Tovo's doing her best to catch up. Shade earned the early endorsement of the public safety orgs, Central Labor, the Board of Realtors, and others. However, Tovo splintered the vote from the Dem clubs, taking the Black Austin, South Austin, Capital Area Progressive, North by Northwest, and West Austin Ds. While Shade still took eight Dem club endorsements, the less than unanimous pick-up (considering the Democratic bona fides of her staff) indicates the competitiveness in Place 3.

Place 4: Laura Morrison is dominating the endorsement game, noting on her website recently she was "extremely honored to have earned the support of every group that has issued an endorsement in the 2011 City Council races" – a distinction we don't think has changed any.

Forum or Against 'Em

It's somewhat slim pickings this week, but a few major events – namely the Real Estate Council of Austin and the Austin Environmental Forum – are scheduled for the week after next. Check back here for details.

Tuesday, April 19

Spicewood Springs Neighborhood Association Forum

6:30-8:30pm, Mountain View Neighborhood Park, 9000 Middlebie

Wednesday, April 20

East Austin Voter Mobilization Initiative Forum

6:30-8pm, Southwest Key Community Center, 6002 Jain