Mayor Luke Ravenstahl picked up an endorsement from the family of late Mayor Bob O'Connor in the race to fill out the former mayor's term in office. Ravenstahl announced his intention to run for the seat at a news conference this morning. He's the only candidate to formally enter the race. "We believe Bob's legacy will be in good hands with Luke," the family said in a statement. "We eagerly endorse his candidacy and look forward to actively supporting him." The family said O'Connor had backed Ravenstahl as City Council president, and that the two men had cooperated during O'Connor's short time in office. The statement also thanks Ravenstahl for his "sincerity, maturity and respect" in his dealings with the family. Ravenstahl assumed the mayor's job Sept. 1, when O'Connor died from a rare form of brain cancer. Ravenstahl came into office saying he would "follow in Bob's footsteps." The special election is scheduled for May 16. The full text of the statement: "We are pleased, excited and energized that Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced his candidacy today to fulfill the unexpired term of our beloved husband, father and Mayor Bob O'Connor. There is an extensive record of how strongly Bob felt about Luke. He supported Luke in becoming City Council President and once in office, the two worked well together. Since our untimely loss, Luke has been in regular contact with us and we wish to thank him for the sincerity, maturity and respect with which he has conducted himself during this most difficult time for us. We believe Bob's legacy will be in good hands with Luke. We eagerly endorse his candidacy and look forward to actively supporting him."

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