Smith drops out of 17th state House Democratic race

• Reprints

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:19AM

Democrat and Evanston attorney Jeff Smith announced he will withdraw his candidacy today from the 17th state House district.

Citing reasons, Smith said the district’s redrawing in May 2010 did not provide enough “time for a real primary discussion.”

The Primary Election is March 20.

“The unusually short schedule instead sets up a battle of branding, mainly purchased, with unacceptable levels of political casualties,” he said in an email.

“Suspending my campaign will free up many important resources for many other political, professional, and personal projects in which I and others were invested when this race suddenly arose.

Democrat Laura Fine, of Glenview, also filed for the primary, as well as Kyle Frank, a Republican and Skokie resident.

The filing period for candidacy ended Dec. 5.

The 17th State House District has been extended in Evanston from Ewing Avenue to Green Bay Road.

The district now includes Evanston’s vote-heavy 6th Ward and half of the 7th Ward, as well as portions of Wilmette, Winnetka, Skokie, Golf, Glenview and Northbrook.