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Politics

Mark Kersey Exits State Senate Race

San Diego City Councilman Mark Kersey sits at the dais, Dec. 12, 2016.
Milan Kovacevic
San Diego City Councilman Mark Kersey sits at the dais, Dec. 12, 2016.

San Diego City Councilman Mark Kersey announced Monday he is ending his run for the 38th state Senate District seat, citing "family health issues."

The Republican announced his decision this morning via Twitter. He said the unspecified health issues would prevent him from commuting to and from Sacramento on a regular basis.

Kersey said he will also step down from his post as vice president of the League of California Cities.

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Kersey's departure leaves three candidates who have declared their intention to enter the race to succeed Sen. Joel Anderson, R-El Cajon. They are Democrat Jeff Griffith, a board member of the Palomar Health District; former Republican Assemblyman Brian Jones of Santee; and libertarian Antonio Salguero.

Anderson is being termed out next year in the seat that represents suburban San Diego, Santee, Escondido and much of rural East County.