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One of the candidates in the Houston mayoral race has dropped out and is now competing for another office, per reports from Houston-based media outlets.
Chris Hollins withdrew his name from the contest in favor for the race for city controller on Thursday.
“After much prayer and consideration, and after seeking feedback from hundreds of Houstonians who care deeply about our city’s future, I’m excited to announce that I’m running to be Houston’s next city controller,” Hollins said on Twitter.
According to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, Hollins, an attorney by profession who’s best known for leading the Harris County Clerk’s Office during the 2020 election, said that if he’s elected the city’s chief financial officer (CFO), he’ll address public safety and the local economy.
“We have the potential to become the safest major city in America, we have the potential to have the strongest local economy, one that works for all of our residents,” Hollins said, KHOU reported. “But to achieve that we need more investments in infrastructure and critical services, not less, and we need a city government that is both effective and efficient in fighting for the needs of Houstonians.”
His announcement ended a bid for the Bayou City’s highest office that commenced earlier last year.
He was part of a crowded field that includes State Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston), ex-Houston City Councilmember Amanda Edwards and now, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Houston), who launched her candidacy last month.
The field is likely to increase before the Monday, Aug. 21 deadline to file for candidacy.
Incumbent Sylvester Turner, who has led the city since 2016, is in his last term since he’s term-limited.
Houston Daily reported that the city controller has responsibilities that – according to the city’s website – include, but aren’t limited to certifying availability of funds before the city council approves certain expenditures, overseeing disbursements of more than $1 billion annually and internally auditing municipal departments.
Hollins’ opponents for the position are current city councilmembers Dave Martin and Michael Kubosh, who, like Turner, are prohibited by law to seek new terms at the horseshoe.
“The controller plays a pivotal role in ensuring good stewardship of our tax dollars,” Hollins said, Houston FOX affiliate KRIV reported. “I will fight every day to increase transparency and accountability in our city government, ensuring that every single dollar we invest in our city pays real dividends for our community."