photo by: Contributed

Gary Rexroad

A Lawrence-Douglas County planning commissioner who announced last month that he was running for the Lawrence City Commission is withdrawing from the race due to a health issue.

Gary Rexroad told the Journal-World on Thursday that he is withdrawing from the race to win one of two seats up for election on the Lawrence City Commission.

“Due to a recently developed health issue, I am withdrawing as a candidate for City Commission,” Rexroad said. “Though my condition is treatable, it will impair my ability to be at my best for my family and my community while I pursue treatment and recovery. I care deeply about the City of Lawrence and hope to resume service to our community soon. Thank you to all who have supported my candidacy.”

Rexroad, a retired Microsoft executive and 25-year resident of Lawrence, has served on the Planning Commission since 2021. When he announced his candidacy last month, he said his campaign would focus on affordable and accessible housing, fiscal responsibility and smart budgets, and job creation and economic prosperity.

Rexroad’s decision to withdraw from the race leaves seven candidates currently in the race, although additional candidates can join the race until the June 2 filing deadline.

The remaining candidates are Eric Hyde, Alex Kerr, Steve Jacob, Ruby Mae Johnson, Bob Schumm, and Paul Buskirk, plus current City Commissioner Bar Littlejohn, who is seeking re-election. Commissioner Lisa Larsen, who holds the other seat with a term that is expiring, has not yet announced whether she plans to run.