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Pacific Grove Mayor Carmelita Garcia is dropping out of her race for state Assembly and running instead for District 5 county supervisor.

This morning's announcement confirmed a widely circulated rumor that Garcia was revising her ambitions. As of last week, she had not scored any major endorsements in her earlier challenge to Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone.

Garcia explains the switch as stemming from a love of her hometown. “I am stepping out of the Assembly race because I believe it is important for me to remain in Monterey County and help find solutions to our problems," she states. "While campaigning for the Assembly seat, I heard from many people and community organizations the desire for me to remain here."

Water supply is likely to be a hot campaign issue in Garcia's fight against incumbent Supervisor Dave Potter, especially given today's announcement that the Regional Desalination Project is dead.

District 5 includes Carmel, Carmel Valley, Big Sur, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Monterey, Highway 68, and Las Palmas.