Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy will not seek re-election in the June primary.
Sheedy told me this morning she would not seek a fourth term for the seat representing north Sacramento neighborhoods in order to spend more time with her family.
"Ted and I have given over 30 years of public service and it's time for us to do this together," she said, referring to her husband, Ted Sheedy, a former county supervisor. "It's time get back to my family."
Sheedy - who ran unopposed in 2008 - said the fact that a large group of candidates has stepped forward to challenge her in the June primary had nothing to do with her decision.
"I'm not leaving because there are people running against me," she said, describing the field of challengers who have lined up against her as "very weak."
"When a Sheedy goes to run for office, they go to war," she said.
Those running for the seat include Sondra Betancourt, president of the Ben Ali Community Association; former Councilman Rob Kerth; Kim Mack, who ran President Obama's local campaign in 2008; and developer Allen Warren.
Sheedy was first elected to the council in 2000. She had been urged to run for the seat by former Mayor Joe Serna Jr. She said she is hoping the Latino community of her district finds a candidate to run for the seat.
She added she has "completed everything I set out to complete" when she first ran. She is particularly proud of the ongoing operation of the Robertson Community Center in Del Paso Heights, especially the center's teen center, and improvements to Del Paso Boulevard made under her watch.
"The district is in good shape," she said. "They just need to keep it in good shape."
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