The race for the Ripon City Council may have already been decided.

Shane Smith opted to drop out and, instead, will throw his support to fellow candidate Mike Restuccia.

However, his name will remain on the November ballot along with a pair of former mayors in Restuccia and incumbent Dean Uecker.

“My hope is for my supporters to show up and vote for Mike Restuccia instead of me,” Smith said on Wednesday.

The City Council race is for the two seats currently occupied by Uecker and Mayor Chuck Winn, who is bidding adieu while vying for the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisor post. He and Lodi businessman Russ Munson are in a runoff for the District 4 seat.

Smith is an AP History teacher and quarterback coach at Modesto Christian – he’s pursuing his doctorate in Educational Leadership at Grand Canyon University – and considers himself a “newbie” to the scene, having previously lived in Modesto.

His hope is to spend the next two years with elected officials while getting better familiar with the community.

“The 2016 election will offer a much more competitive climate for newcomers like me,” he said in his press release. “It will also give me two more years to build relationships within Ripon and provide me with a better understanding of this unique community I am eager to serve.”

His reason for support Restuccia is based on his knowledge and experience in serving Ripon.

“His passion for this city (is) remarkable,” Smith added.