PORT TOWNSEND — Attorney Paul Richmond has withdrawn from the race for the Port Townsend City Council seat that will be vacated by Laurie Medlicott.
His name, however, will appear on the Aug. 16 primary election ballot, along with candidates remaining in the race: Pamela Adams, Jack Range and Deborah Stinson.
Richmond said he has seen his law practice grow in recent months and has halted his campaign as a result.
“Given the increasing demands of my law practice, I have had to make hard choices as to priorities,” he said in an email to the Peninsula Daily News on Tuesday.
“I have come to the conclusion that I am not in a position to run as effective a campaign for this office as I would like at this time [and am] withdrawing from this race.”
Jefferson County Auditor Donna Eldridge said 6,815 ballots already have been printed for the primary election and will contain Richmond’s name when they are mailed to voters Wednesday, July 27.
The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the Nov. 8 general election.
Eldridge said Richmond had passed the deadline to withdraw from the race and cannot prevent his name from appearing on the ballot should he be one of the top two candidates.
If he were to be elected, he would either serve or resign, Eldridge said.
Medlicott announced in May that she will not seek a third term.
Richmond, 50, ran unsuccessfully against longtime U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, in the 2008 Democratic Party primary. Dicks represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
In 2010, Richmond ran unsuccessfully for Jefferson County prosecuting attorney, winning 37 percent of the vote.
During his political career, Richmond has identified himself both as a Democrat and as an independent.
He expects to stay involved in local issues.
“I wish to thank those who gave their emotional support and encouraged me to run,” Richmond said in his statement.
“I feel I have been an effective advocate for numerous causes and will continue my participation in local government and our community on this level.”
Richmond made his announcement prior to a series of candidate forums planned next week.
They are:
■ The Rotary Club is sponsoring a forum at noon Tuesday at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St.
■ The Jefferson County Democrats will host a forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Port Townsend Community Center, 620 Tyler St.
■ The League of Women Voters will hold a forum at 7 p.m. July 27 at the Masonic Temple, 1338 Jefferson St.
Richmond said he will not participate in those forums.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.