Less than a month after announcing his candidacy, West Tisbury resident Erik Hammarlund this week withdrew his name from the town selectman’s race. His move leaves Cynthia Mitchell uncontested, the sole candidate to replace outgoing selectman Dianne Powers, who decided not to run again after serving a single term.

Mr. Hammarlund is an Island attorney and past associate member of the planning board, and a current member of the board of trustees for the Vineyard Conservation Society. He told the Gazette this week that after careful consideration he decided this was not the right time to run for selectman.

Mr. Hammarlund did not rule out running for elected office in the future. “I don’t know if that means selectman or some other board or committee. But I will say that I do still want to serve the town of West Tisbury in some capacity,” he said.

Mrs. Mitchell, a former four-term selectman, is now a lock to take a seat on the three-member board. Mrs. Mitchell lost her seat in 2002 after Glenn Hearn defeated her by 20 votes. She has since been elected to the board of assessors. She works as director of the Island Health Plan.

Mrs. Mitchell last week said she misses the job and serving the town.

“I love the town, and I know the job. I miss serving the town I care so much for,” she said.