Michael N. Hurd, one of the seven candidates running for a seat on the Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education, announced on Thursday that he would be dropping out of the race. In a statement to The Ticker, Hurd expressed regrets over not being able to see his candidacy through to completion and threw his support behind non-incumbent candidates Josey Ballenger, Flournoy Humphreys, and Scott Newman-Bale.

“I've had some unexpected life and financial obligations come up and I'm currently unable to devote the time I feel should be devoted to a job like this,” Hurd says. “I will be staying involved with the district and school board as I may run again in the future. I am endorsing the three new candidates; I feel they will do a better job than the current board.”

Hurd, a 36-year-old father of two, originally announced his candidacy for one of the three up-for-grabs school board seats in July. Throughout the race, he advocated for a return to face-to-face learning, a transparent Board of Education, and more support for students not heade d for college.

Voters who have already cast ballots in the November election and wish to change their selections can “spoil” their ballot and cast a new one through their local clerk's office.