Bob Kasting drops out of Vancouver mayoral race

An independent candidate in Vancouver's mayoral race has bowed out nine days before general voting day.

Bob Kasting says he is dropping out becausehe realized he won't be able toattract widespread support.

"For a variety of reasons, I don't have the ability to convince the people of Vancouver that they should vote for me as the Vancouver mayor," he said.

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Instead, he is throwing his support behindNPAcandidateKirk LaPointe.

"He did not approach me, I approached him," Kasting said at a news conference at Robson Square on Thursday.

But, sinceKasting missed the Oct. 17 deadline to bow out,some voterswon't know the difference on Nov. 15.The ballots have already been printed, and voterswill still be able to markan "X" beside Kasting'sname.

As for voters who already voted for him in advance polls, theformer mayoral candidate said"thank you."