Today American Fork City Council candidate Austin Duke submitted the required notarized affidavit at the City Recorder’s office to withdraw his name from the November general election ballot.

He cited “unforeseen personal and family considerations.”

He finished fifth among nine candidates in the September 5 primary election, which advanced six candidates for three available seats on the council. In withdrawing he endorsed three of the candidates who finished ahead of him: Clark Taylor, Ernie John, and Tim Holley. These, he wrote, “are committed to what I believe is good and wise local government.”

Here is the statement he posted on social media and sent to AFelection.info:

Austin Duke statement

Due to unforeseen personal and family considerations, I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the City Council race.

I decided to run for City Council because I love American Fork and am committed to good government. American Fork has been my home for 15 years. My wife and I are raising our family here. There is a lot to like about this city, and I want to keep it that way.

This has been an incredible learning experience! There is so much that goes on in this city that most of us aren’t even aware of. I believe the Mayor and the City Council do an amazing job, and I’m grateful for the time that I have been able to spend watching them more closely to see how it all comes together.

Of the six candidates who advanced from the primary election to the general election, there are four, including me, who are committed to what I believe is good and wise local government, and two whose values and goals are much different. In an effort to elect those whose beliefs align most closely with mine, please join me in voting for Clark Taylor, Ernie John, and Tim Holley this November.