By Jen Lebron Kuhney | The Arizona Republic
City Councilman Mike Woodard officially withdrew Tuesday from Surprise’s District 5 race, a contest that would have pitted him against fellow incumbent Skip Hall.
Woodard notified City Clerk Sherry Aguilar about the decision.
He was not immediately available for comment.
Redistricting placed the two councilmen in the same district in 2011. Federal law requires cities to redraw election boundaries after each census to account for population shifts.
The district now comprises the Kingswood Parke, Mountain Vista Ranch and Sierra Verde neighborhoods. It also includes City Hall and Surprise Stadium.
In the months leading up to Woodard’s withdrawal, the councilman sometimes appeared to be a reluctant candidate.
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