Roger Meyer, the first candidate to enter this year's campaign for St. Paul mayor, told supporters Friday that he is withdrawing from the race.

Meyer sent e-mail letters to supporters saying that he had decided "family and professional obligations" would prevent him from spending the time and energy needed to promote his Green Party platform and win the election.

"I'd like to thank everyone who encouraged me and supported me early in this process," he said.

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, a DFLer, has not yet formally declared his intent to seek a third term but is expected to do so this month. No other candidates besides Meyer have entered the race.

Meyer, 45, is a consultant and community activist who registered his mayoral campaign committee with Ramsey County in December. He reported a campaign fund balance of about $7,100 in late January, compared with Coleman's $104,000.

Meyer has said that Coleman isn't doing enough to address income and small-business gaps between whites and minority groups in St. Paul. He wants the city to halt the granting of living wage variances and to enact a "ban the box" rule to prohibit city contractors from asking about felony records when hiring.

In a news release, Meyer said he is meeting with Green Party members and other organizations to identify other candidates to challenge Coleman. St. Paul Republicans also have said they're searching for a candidate.

Kevin Duchschere • 651-925-5035