SOUTH PORTLAND — Democratic candidate Timothy Smith said he will pull out of the House District 33 primary election.

Smith’s unofficial withdrawal would leave the June 10 Democratic primary uncontested for Rosemarie DeAngelis. Also uncontested in the primary election are Republican candidate Kevin Battle and Green Party candidate Robert Klotz.

District 33 includes neighborhoods west of Main Street and north of Broadway, up to Tanner Street. Prior to redistricting, it was House District 124.

“It’s just not the time for me right now,” Smith, who lives on Filmore Avenue, said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “But I think Rosemarie is a great candidate, a great educator, and I’ll be supporting her in the general election.”

Because Smith did not file a notice of withdrawal with the secretary of state’s office by the April 11 deadline, his name will still appear on the primary ballot.

As of Wednesday, Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said, Smith still had not officially withdrawn his candidacy. Until he does, any votes cast for Smith will still count. When and if he formally withdraws, Dunlap said the city clerk will give voters notice that votes cast for Smith on the primary ballot will not count.

Absentee ballots, which have Smith’s name on them, go out on May 11. 

DeAngelis, a former city councilor, said Monday that Smith had not yet contacted her about his withdrawal.

“I hope that if he’s withdrawing, he’ll take appropriate action for all concerned,” she said. “It’s the respectful thing to do.”

Democratic Rep. Bryan Kaenrath, the current office holder, is unable to run again because he has served the state’s limit of four consecutive terms representing District 124.

Shelby Carignan can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or scarignan@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @shelbycarignan.

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