LONG BEACH -- Seventh District City Council candidate Doug Seagraves said Monday that he is withdrawing from the race and supporting opponent Jack Smith.
"I am bowing out since I have health issues that may interfere with my duties and feel Mr. Smith has the name recognition and wherewithal to make the right changes at City Hall," Seagraves wrote in an email to the Press-Telegram.
The candidate, whose resume describes him as a contract administrator with Stat Registry Service in Long Beach, has said that he is recovering from cancer.
Seagraves wrote that he shares much in common with Smith, including homeless advocacy, and did not want to split the vote with him.
Smith works as a Hollywood line producer on TV shows and in movies. He has an Academy Award for technical achievement, but is perhaps best known in Long Beach for volunteer efforts on behalf of the homeless and inner-city youth.
Seagraves also aimed a parting shot at City Hall.
"I had entered the race because I was tired of getting the same inept responses from city government because the same people get used to feeding at the public trough over and over even though the people explicitly voted for term limits," he wrote.
There are now three declared candidates in the 7th, which includes the Wrigley District, California Heights and the Westside.
Also in the race are Assistant City Auditor James Johnson; Jill Hill, co-president of the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Association; and Long Beach City College Trustee Roberto Uranga.
All are hoping to fill the seat held by Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga, who is termed out in 2010.
