The race for the open seat on the Pierce County Council just got a little lighter.

Bonney Lake Councilmemebr James Rackley on Tuesday announced June 8 he has decided not to run for the seat.

Rackley, 62, said that while he thinks he could make a difference on the council, he is no longer up to the physical demands of campaigning.

“I just don’t have the stamina to campaign,” he said.

Rackley said he found himself exhausted after a recent run of door-belling and did not think he would be able to fully devote himself to the campaign.

Rackley, a life-long Republican, was running as an independent.

The seat is presently held by Republican Shawn Bunney, who cannot run for re-election due to term limits.

State representative Dan Roach (R-31) and Tacoma firefighter Pat McElligott (D) have filed to run for the seat.

In a political twist, Bunney has announced his candidacy for Roach’s seat in the statehouse.