Staff ReportsClearwater Vice Mayor Doreen Caudell is dropping out of the race for the countywide District 2 seat on the Pinellas County Commission.
Caudell, a Republican, told the Tampa Bay Times Monday that she will serve out the remainder of her term on the Clearwater City Council, which runs through 2020.
“I feel compelled to dedicate my full time and attention to continuing to passionately represent Clearwater and its citizens” she said.
Caudell’s exit leaves incumbent Commissioner Pat Gerard unopposed in her quest for a second term, though another candidate could still file for the seat up until the end of the qualifying period, which runs from noon on June 18 through noon on June 22.
Gerard finished April with more than $120,000 raised for her re-election campaign and $95,870 on hand. Caudell leaves the race after raising $76,322 for her campaign since filing in June 2017. She has $48,645 on hand in her campaign account.
The District 2 seat is one of three county commission races that will be on the November ballot along with District 4 and District 6.
Republican Commissioner Dave Eggers is currently unopposed in the District 4 race, while Treasure Island Republican Rep. Kathleen Peters is so far leading the four-way race in District 6, currently held by four-term Republican Commissioner John Morroni.
Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 will be on the 2020 ballot.
