City Councilwoman Nancy Saxton said Friday that she is withdrawing from the Salt Lake City mayoral race.

"I decided I didn't want to follow Rocky and the condition that the administration is in," said Saxton, speaking of Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson. "Rocky has been bigger than life, but I think the city has been a little neglected."

Saxton cited the treatment of Salt Lake residents, budget problems and a lack of leadership in planning as the reasons she is dropping her quest for the mayor's job.

"The timing just wasn't right," she said. "I think the next mayor will have a tough time."

Saxton had been in fifth place among the current candidates when it came to fund raising, according to a campaign financial report that came out the beginning of June. Saxton had raised almost $65,000, but the report also stated that Saxton had only received $100 in contributions since Feb. 15.

Saxton said an error had been made in reporting campaign contributions and promised to amend the report to clear up the matter. She said she had been busy knocking on doors and had left the filing responsibility to her campaign manager. The amendment to the report, she added, would reflect the steady flow of money she said was still coming into her campaign.

A poll conducted by the Deseret Morning News in April showed that Saxton had the support of only 5 percent of voters when city residents were asked who they would vote for as Salt Lake City mayor. Saxton, a Democrat, had only 4 percent of the Democratic votes citywide.

Saxton said she enjoys serving as a member of the Salt Lake City Council and plans to file the paperwork on Monday to run again for her council seat.

The candidates still in the race for mayor are House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake; City Councilman Dave Buhler; former City Councilman Keith Christensen; colorectal surgeon J.P. Hughes; Centro Civico Mexicano Director John Renteria; and County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson.

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E-mail: dramsay@desnews.com