minneapolis

Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels is dropping out of the heated race for the Second District Hennepin County Board seat, citing family reasons.

Samuels said he is throwing his support to state Sen. Linda Higgins, the DFL-endorsed candidate expected to be one of the top contenders in the Aug. 14 primary election.

Samuels, who announced the news on his Facebook campaign page Tuesday night, was not immediately available to comment.

In his Facebook posting, Samuels called Higgins "a true progressive... Who understands the issues our community faces."

Samuels said he was leaving the race to support his wife Sondra in her job as CEO of the Northside Achievement Zone. She "is facing a hectic period of expansion," he said in the Facebook note.

Samuels' departure leaves nine candidates vying for the chance to run in the general election in November.