MANSFIELD - One of the six candidates running for board of selectmen has dropped out of the race.

Christopher McGowan, who ran but failed to win a seat last spring, has taken his name off the May 13 ballot, the town clerk's office confirmed Tuesday. He is also Mansfield's representative to the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD).

He decided not to run due to family obligations, he said, but plans to continue serving as the town's SRPEDD representative and volunteering in other areas.

McGowan's departure leaves five men battling to win the two seats up for grabs in the election: Jess Aptowitz, Robert Goldman, Kevin Moran, Hasib Thomas, and write-in candidate Daniel Pascucci.