Hull drops out of race for mayor

There will be one less name for voters to remember on election day with one of two write-in candidates having withdrawn, effective immediately.

“I am pulling out of the race for mayor for health reasons,” Jim Hull announced in a written press release. “I had a quadruple bypass in 2000 and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the time, and the pressure and stress of the campaign were much greater than I anticipated and are beginning to take their toll.”

Hull officially entered the race Jan. 4 when he filed his paperwork with the city clerk to run as a write-in candidate against Anthony Smith, whose name alone will appear on the ballot for the position of mayor. (See “Smith to run opposed for mayor – so far“). Hull entered on the principle of providing a choice, and proposed that his efforts to create local sustainability would carry him to victory (See “Write-in candidate set to enter race for mayor” and “City Election 2008 Candidate Profile Series: Jim Hull”).

Three weeks later, he is bowing out with no hard feelings to Smith or Michael Godsey, who joined the race as a write-in candidate a day after Hull (See “Third candidate to enter mayoral race” ).

“I knew from the beginning that being in the race would be demanding, but knowing that and living through it are very different,” he said in his release. “We have two excellent candidates for mayor, and I hope citizens rally around their choice and give him the votes needed to win. Both are very focused on what is best for Maricopa.”

Hull was not immediately available for comment following his general statement to the media, which arrived by email early this afternoon.

His statement, however, did acknowledge those who had rallied behind him during his brief campaign.

“I want to thank everybody who gave their support and time on my behalf,” Hull said.

For a collection of our previous and continuing election coverage please visit our elections page.

Photo by RuthAnn Hogue