Mayor Steve Adler's infamous lockdown trip to Cabo San Lucas was met with near-silence from the members of the Austin City Council — even during Thursday's Council meeting.
That is, except for incumbent District 6 Council member Jimmy Flannigan. Rather than holding Adler accountable, he made light of the embarrassing international news coverage in a podcast on Friday (watch here via Twitter).
Mackenzie Kelly, Flannigan's opponent and leading candidate in the District 6 runoff, released the following statement on his egregious refusal to stand up for Austinites who are struggling under COVID-19 restrictions.
"Three days after it was exposed, Austin City Council Member Jimmy Flannigan's continued ambivalence about Mayor Steve Adler's Cabo vacation, in hypocritical defiance of Stage 3 regulations, screams volumes about Flannigan's lack of independent thinking and judgment.
There are simply no courageous, independent voices left on the City Council, which was made crystal clear by Flannigan's inaction, and now his mockery.
Who is standing up for local businesses closing their doors, non-profits suffering from reduced donations, or those who canceled family gatherings to abide by the mayor's directive?
Austin's biggest problem is Flannigan's 'follow-the-leader' approach to governing, which he shares with his fellow Council members. This has led to unfortunate decisions like canceling the new police cadet classes needed to reform APD by bringing new officers onto the force and provide full protection to the citizens of Austin.
District 6 needs a representative who will actually represent the district, and not another go-along-to-get-along follower.
When elected, I will speak out on injustices like these and hold not only the mayor but my colleagues accountable when they betray the public trust."
Early voting continues today through Friday, Dec. 11. Election Day is Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. For more information on Mackenzie Kelly's campaign visit Facebook.com/MackenzieforAustin or www.mackenzieforaustin.com.