Healey pulls out of council race

One of the top contenders in the open race for September's Council District 2 election said Monday she was withdrawing from the race.

Laurette Healey, a businesswoman and one of the organizers behind the successful effort to rename a portion of Van Nuys as Sherman Oaks, released a statement saying the timing of the Sept. 22 election was not right for her.

Even though she said she had raised $100,000 for the campaign, Healey said she wants to use her entrepreneurial skills to concentrate on job creation and economic development.

"While I do not rule out the prospect of seeking public office in the future, I am fortunate to have other options available to me," Healey said.

Healey has run in the past for City Controller and served as a deputy state controller to former Controller Steve Westley.

The election is to fill out the term remaining when Wendy Greuel was elected City Controller.

Even with Healey's withdrawal, 13 candidates are in the process of collecting signatures on petitions to qualify for the ballot.