Source: SFGate

OAKLAND — Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums announced Wednesday that he would not run for re-election, marking a quiet end to a mayoral term that began with great promise but eventually led to criticism that he was often an absentee leader.

The announcement, made in writing, sharply contrasted with his declaration for candidacy five years ago, when he gave an hourlong public speech at a community college, was cheered on by hundreds of supporters and instantly grabbed the spotlight in Oakland.

The vacancy sets the stage for a mayoral race in which there is no clear front-runner among eight candidates, including Councilwomen Jean Quan and Rebecca Kaplan and former state Sen. Don Perata.

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