PROVO — The first of at least five Provo political races scheduled for 2009 ended Tuesday with David Acheson taking the City Council seat vacated by George Stewart.

The Council voted 6-0 to appoint Acheson to fill Stewart's seat for the final year of his term. Stewart announced his resignation in November and stepped down Jan. 7 to serve a mission with his wife for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The appointment process mimicked the starting field of a large Kentucky Derby with 22 candidates. Six withdrew prior to Tuesday. On Tuesday, former Provo Fire Chief Coy Porter also withdrew.

Acheson is vice president of marketing for VitalSmarts, a Provo company. He has worked for Microsoft, SCO, Certiport, Novell and WordPerfect. An attorney, Acheson earned an English degree from BYU and law degrees from Seattle University and the University of Edinburgh.

The citywide council seat Acheson inherits is up for election this fall. So are theseats of Councilwomen Cindy Richards, who represents central Provo, and Cindy Clark, who represents the east side. A mayoral race is also on the docket. Mayor Lewis Billings is leaning toward running for a fourth term. John Curtis has announced his candidacy, and Clark's husband, Rep. Steve Clark, R-Provo, is considering a run.

— Tad Walch