Candidate exits Sandy Springs mayor’s race

David Crim has withdrawn his name as a candidate challenging Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul in the Nov. 7 election. AJC FILE

David Crim has withdrawn his name as a candidate challenging Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul in the Nov. 7 election. AJC FILE

The candidate who had qualified to take on Mayor Rusty Paul of Sandy Springs in the Nov. 7 election has withdrawn from the race, leaving the incumbent unchallenged for a second term.

David Crim, an insurance executive and former deputy state insurance commissioner, told the AJC on Tuesday that he is dropping out of the mayor’s race primarily to save the city money. Crim also said he had realized “it would take a lot of work” to fix the problems facing Sandy Springs.

With Crim’s exit, only one position in Sandy Springs is competitive in the November election – the District 4 City Council seat of Gabriel Sterling, who is leaving to run for Fulton County Board of Commissioners chair. Le’Dor Milteer and Jody Reichel last week qualified as candidates for that office.

Steve Soterest is unopposed seeking the District 2 seat of Ken Dishman. Incumbent council members John Paulson (District 1), Chris Burnett (District 3), Tibby DeJulio (District 5) and Andy Bauman (District 6) are also unopposed.