Hawkesworth drops out, backs Higgins

Ald. Bob Hawkesworth officially ended his bid to be Calgary's next mayor, throwing his support behind Barb Higgins at a joint news conference on Wednesday.

Hawkesworth, who has been re-elected six times as Ward 4 alderman, said Tuesday that it would take a miracle for him to win the mayor's chair on Oct. 18.

He has been running a distant fourth in the race, according to most polls.

"I will be using all the time and energy left to me in this campaign period to actively work for the election of Barb Higgins as our next mayor," said a statement on Hawkesworth's website.

Hawkesworth said he and Higgins have agreed to disagree over the proposed airport tunnel, opposition to which has been a cornerstone of his campaign.

The ballots for the municipal vote have already been printed so Hawkesworth's name will still appear on them, election officials said.