Attorney Karen Gates Hildt dropped out of the race for Jefferson County Superior Court judge late Saturday afternoon.
In a letter addressed to the citizens of the county and given to the PDN, Hildt cited “recent unforeseen client needs” as the reason she is discontinuing the campaign.
Hildt declined to comment further, adding that the statement contains everything she wants to say.
Two candidates
Her withdrawal leaves two announced candidates remain in the race after Hildt’s announcement — Craddock Davis Verser of Port Townsend, who was appointed to the bench by Gov. Gary Locke in February, and Joan Best of Port Hadlock.
Both candidates learned of Hildt’s announcement when contacted by a PDN reporter Saturday.