Auburn locksmith Frank Lonergan has withdrawn his name from the race for Auburn mayor – to throw his support behind the candidacy of City Councilmember John Partridge.

Lonergan made the announcement in a letter to the Auburn Reporter late Tuesday night.

“It is with great relief and pleasure that I can honestly say: ‘I no longer need to run for mayor of the City of Auburn,’ ” Lonergan began.

Lonergan’s withdrawal leaves a field of three vying for the post: Partridge, fellow Councilmember Nancy Backus and Iraq War veteran Scot Pondelick.

Lonergan, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor four years ago, said he felt the need to try again because he did not see any other candidate who in his opinion understood that one holds such an office to serve the citizens in the way they want to be served.

Then Lonergan took aim at Mayor Pete Lewis.

“Our mayor appeared to think that he knew what was best for us without consulting our opinions,” Lonergan wrote, adding that he believed the people in power now took many of they actions they did in part because they were unwilling “to humbly re-think” tough decisions.

He singled out the City’s decision last year “to cede our local municipal court system to King County” despite the standing-room-only crowd that appeared at the City Council meeting chamber before the vote to tell City leaders to keep the court local.

“When so many of the people in this city got involved in the process, our leaders needed to at least take a second look at what they were doing,” Lonergan wrote. “But our mayor and council stubbornly plowed ahead without creatively looking for an alternative. This kind of let-them-eat-cake leadership style prompted my belief that I could do better.”

Lonergan then threw his support behind the lone council member who voted against the court change.

“Of all the council members we currently have, only one has shown the understanding that he serves the people and not his own interests. John Partridge has consistently demonstrated that he gets it. He understands it is his job to do what the citizens want, not tell the citizens what they want. He is a true servant of the people. It is my firm belief that in November, John Partridge will be the only real choice for Mayor,” Lonergan wrote.