Hirschi said Monday that she would end her bid because the party has been temporarily "taken over by a faction with whom I do not wish to associate politically."

The withdrawal - Hirschi is joined by Linda Parsons, a candidate for state House District 34 - comes after infighting over who's in charge of the fledgling party and who will be its nominee for president on Utah's ballot: national candidate David Cobb or independent Ralph Nader, the party's 2000 nominee.

Nader already is on the Utah ballot as an unaffiliated candidate for president.

Hirschi says the Utah party voted to endorse both Cobb and Nader, but to put neither on the ballot under the Green Party label. But, Hirschi says, Cobb supporters set out to "overthrow" that decision by e-mailing and making personal visits to select party members to usurp the party's treasury, Web site and records.

Party member Tom King says it is Hirschi who is part of a "faction." He says it "should have been a given" that Cobb would be the Utah party's nominee since he is the national selection. He adds that the e-mail survey of Utah members showed they wanted Cobb on the ballot.

Last week, 3rd District Judge Stephen Henriod denied a request by some Greens to put them in charge of the party, but another suit has been filed and the judge soon may decide who has claim to the party's leadership.

For now, state Elections Director Amy Naccarato says she is waiting for that ruling before she can put someone under the Green Party name or leave it blank.

"I don't know who's in charge of the party," she said.

Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen says the Hirschi and Parsons withdrawals, if filed as expected today, would be in time for her office to remove the names from the county ballot.

Hirschi had not drawn much support in her bid for mayor, with polls placing her between 3 percent and 5 percent. But if she drops out, Democratic candidate Peter Corroon probably would pick up most of her support.

Corroon, who leads independent Merrill Cook and incumbent Republican Nancy Workman in the latest polls, says he hopes that Green Party voters will back him.

"I thought that many of the issues that [Hirschi] stood for, I supported," Corroon said, noting he agreed with her positions on protecting the environment and advocating a living wage. "I'd certainly love to have her support if she backs out of the race and have her endorsement."

tburr@sltrib.com