Councilman Grasso Steps Out of County Executive Race

A third Republican contender in the upcoming race for the next County Executive has withdrawn his candidacy.

Anne Arundel County Councilman John Grasso won't run for executive in 2014, he said Monday night, The Baltimore Sun reports.

Grasso, a Glen Burnie landlord, said he had, "enough on my plate," between his job and his work as a councilman representing the Second District.

Grasso also told The Sun that he mostly agreed with the stances of his Republican competitors, Del. Steve Schuh and County Executive Laura Neuman, and saw few ways to distinguish himself in the run-up to the election. Cost was also a factor, he said.

Instead, Grasso said he will focus on his campaign to retain his council seat.