POULSBO — John R. Bukowsky, the lone candidate to succeed Jim Henry on the Poulsbo City Council, has withdrawn his candidacy, writing in the Kitsap County Voters’ Pamphlet:

“Due to personal circumstances I am no longer able to serve as a City Council member in the capacity that the position deserves. While I will not be on the City Council, I hope to be active in the community and provide my skills to the council and to the elected mayor. Many thanks to all who have provided me with such fantastic support and encouragement.”

Bukowsky could not be reached for comment Oct. 6.

His decision leaves the position open for a write-in candidate. Or, if Bukowsky still receives more votes than a write-in, the City Council will be forced to appoint a council member who would serve until the next general election.

The Revised Code of Washington states regarding city council vacancies: “The office of a mayor or councilmember shall become vacant if the person who is elected or appointed to that position fails to qualify as provided by law, fails to enter upon the duties of that office at the time fixed by law without a justifiable reason.”

Write-in candidates must register their candidacies with the Kitsap County Auditor’s Elections Office.

Bukowsky, a team manager at a software company, is one of eight candidates countywide to withdraw their candidacies, and one of three in the general election to withdraw after the deadline to have their names removed from the ballot.

Steve Garfein, founder of a company that manufacturers testing equipment for the electronics industry, was late in withdrawing his candidacy for the board of commissioners of Kitsap County Fire Protection District 18, aka Poulsbo Fire, leaving Jeff Uberuaga as the lone candidate.

“I have chosen to withdraw my candidacy for Kitsap County Fire District No. 18, Commissioner Position 3,” Garfein wrote in the voters’ pamphlet. “I regret that currently I am unable to devote the time necessary to be an effective Commissioner.

Judith McLaughlin withdrew her candidacy for a Bainbridge Island School Board position, leaving Mike Spence the lone candidate.

“Due to unforeseen demands on my time, I will no longer be able to fulfill the requirements of this position and would like to withdraw my candidacy,” McLaughlin wrote in the voters’ pamphlet. “Thank you to all of those who supported me along the way.”

All told, there are 64 positions countywide on the Nov. 7 ballot, among them mayor of Bremerton and Poulsbo; city council positions in Bainbridge, Bremerton, Port Orchard and Poulsbo; and fire protection districts, parks and recreation districts, port commissions, school boards, and utility districts.

— Richard Walker is managing editor of Kitsap News Group. Contact him at rwalker@soundpublishing.com