Just two weeks before Election Day, a contender in the race for a key west-side Salt Lake City Council seat has dropped out — and endorsed one of his opponents.
Yussuf Abdi, a candidate in the three-headed pursuit of the District 1 spot on the City Council, told The Salt Lake Tribune in a text message Tuesday that he will officially withdraw from the election and endorse incumbent Victoria Petro’s campaign.
“My decision was based on putting the community first — I believe collaboration and unity will achieve far more for our residents than competition,” he wrote. “Victoria and I share a vision for strengthening our neighborhoods, improving public safety and creating more opportunities for families and small businesses in District 1.”
Abdi is the imam of Salt Lake City’s Madina Masjid Islamic Center and a tech business owner.
Besides Petro and Abdi, the race — which will be decided via ranked choice voting — also includes human resources consultant Stephen Otterstrom. District 1 includes the Rose Park, Westpointe, Jordan Meadows and Northpointe areas, along with a portion of the Fairpark neighborhood.
Public safety, housing and the planned Power District development have been hot topics on the west side this cycle.
Abdi said he had not yet officially withdrawn from the race by contacting the Salt Lake County Clerk’s Office, but that he would do so “soon.” Once he does, all votes made for him will not count and office staff will be required to notify district residents that he is no longer eligible for election.