Politics : Maloney Withdraws From Mayoral Race
The campaign for mayor of Irvine suddenly became a two-man race Tuesday night after the third candidate, Hal Maloney, announced he was withdrawing from the contest.
Maloney, 38, a budget analyst for the Orange County Health Care Agency, made his surprise announcement at the City Council meeting. He cited “business and family” considerations for his departure from the race.
Maloney said outside the council chambers that he had recently decided to leave his job with the county and will start working for his family’s dental health-care company, a job that would not allow him time to campaign for mayor.
Maloney’s withdrawal leaves an election match between the appointed incumbent, Larry Agran, 43, an attorney, and Barry Hammond, 36, a business analyst. Agran, serving his second one-year term as mayor, represents slow-growth interests in the city. Hammond is pro-development.
Maloney, who is also pro-development, said he would throw his support behind Hammond.
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