''A hard decision'' has been made by Helen Algar to withdraw from the race for the Waitaki mayoralty.
Mrs Algar announced in March she would challenge incumbent Alex Familton.
However, she had since been confronted with unexpected health issues.
While not wanting to give details, she said the issues were sufficient that she felt it would be dishonest to continue with the bid when they could affect her ability to do the job.
''I was going to give it a good shot and felt I had a reasonable chance of polling well,'' she said when contacted yesterday.
It was ''with a heavy heart'', she decided to withdraw.
''This has ultimately been a very difficult decision for me and my family as we were committed to the campaign.
''I remain dedicated to the Waitaki community and will continue to contribute to and support the community as I always have.''
Mrs Algar wished those in the forthcoming elections well and encouraged people to vote.
Mrs Algar was one of three candidates to announce their intention to stand for the mayoralty.
The other two are Mr Familton and former deputy mayor Gary Kircher, who contested the mayoralty in 2010.
