Unalaska, AK – Joanna Aldridge has announced that she's withdrawing from the race for her former City Council seat.

Aldridge was not available for comment today, although she sent out a brief written statement citing "family and work obligations" in the decision. She had filed last month to run again for Council Seat C, from which she had stepped down in February, citing family reasons. That put her in competition with current council member Roger Rowland, who had been appointed to fill her seat for the remainder of her term. Valerie Lemas is also running for the seat.

When reached on his cell phone at work this morning, Rowland hadn't heard the news of Aldridge's withdrawal yet.

"As far as making my chances better or worse, to be honest with you, I don't know," he said.

Rowland's seat is one of two on the council that are up for grabs this year. Incumbent Kris Flanagan will also be defending his seat against three challengers, David Gregory, Chris Bobbitt and Randall Baker. Mayor Shirley Marquardt also has two contenders for her job, Shannon Morrison and current council member Katherine McGlashan.

The election is October 2.