Pam Torliatt, a former Petaluma mayor and councilwoman, has bowed out of the November race for council, throwing her support behind two political allies.
Torliatt, 47, announced her intentions to quit the campaign, which she began in 2012, in a Facebook posting over the weekend. She didn't return a call seeking comment Monday.
In her written statement, she said serving on the council amounts to a full-time job.
"After careful consideration of my current business and personal commitments, it is apparent my schedule will not allow me the time to serve our community at the level it deserves," the announcement said.
She said she will support Mayor David Glass in his race against Mike Harris, a three-time councilman, who won't seek reelection to his council seat, but will challenge Glass for the separately elected mayoral position.
Torliatt is also supporting Councilwoman Teresa Barrett in her run for reelection to a third council term.
In addition to the mayor's seat, three council positions are on the ballot: Harris' open seat and those of Barrett and Chris Albertson. Both incumbents will face challenges from Dave King and Ken Quinto.
Torliatt served for 14 years as a council member and mayor before unsuccessfully seeking election to the state Assembly and the county Board of Supervisors. She has been out of public office since 2010.
She is the chief financial officer of Superior Systems, which designs and installs dairy and cheese equipment, and works with her boyfriend in Progressive Pastures, a grass-fed beef operation they started in 2006.
Torliatt said although she won't be running this year, she implied is not leaving the political scene.
"I look forward to serving again, it will just not be in 2014," her statement said.
Torliatt had accumulated about $6,100 in political contributions since she began fund-raising in late 2012, according to campaign documents through the end of 2013, the most recent available.
You can reach Lori A. Carter at 762-7297 or lori.carter@pressdemocrat.com.
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