State Senator Sandra Williams has withdrawn her previously declared candidacy for an Ohio House seat this year, the Real Deal Press has learned.

Williams filed official notice of withdrawal yesterday at the Cuyahoga Board of Elections, as confirmed by a board official. She also shared the news with members of the Ohio Black Legislative Caucus last night, but provided no details as to her future plans.

Williams is term-limited in her current position as she completes her eighth year in the Ohio Senate. She spent the previous eight years as a member of the House. She filed petitions earlier this year to return to the lower chamber.

Phone calls and text messages for Williams were not been returned as of press time.

Uncertainty and confusion have dominated this year’s primary season. Senator and Representative races for the Ohio General Assembly did not appear on the May primary ballot this year because the Ohio Redistricting Commission failed to win approval of any of its redistricting plans from the Ohio Supreme Court.

The Court has struck down three plans submitted by the Commission’s GOP majority for being unconstitutionally gerrymandered. The third plan was resubmitted unchanged earlier this month as Republicans are apparently banking on an expected federal court ruling next week or shortly thereafter ordering the use of the unconstitutional district lines for this year.

A second primary will likely be held on August 2 to select candidates for all House seats and half of the state senate contests.

Williams’ move seems to signal the end of her sixteen year career as an elected official. She ran for Cleveland mayor in last year’s nonpartisan primary but finished near the bottom in the field of seven even though she was the only woman in the race. 

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Updated at 0951.