Perth Voice Interactive

MATT BUCKELS has backed out of the race to run for Vincent mayor.

His decision leaves Emma Cole, who has the backing of outgoing mayor John Carey, as the only candidate to have put their hand up so far.

Cr Buckels announced his run in the Voice in December, positioning himself as an independent.

On his mayoral campaign page Cr Buckels announced; “It is with some sadness that I’ve decided not to run for the mayoral position after all.”

The Leederville local said “a few things have surfaced at a personal level and I think it is better that I focus on those,” along with his two youngsters and his coffee drinking.

“I’ll still be on council working with a pretty terrific group of fellow councillors.”

Town planner Ben Doyle joked “Fishgate” may have sunk the campaign, referring to Cr Buckels’ confession a few days before that he’d accidentally killed all his pet fish while changing the water.

by DAVID BELL