John Mar won’t be seeking the Conservative nomination to replace Lee Richardson.

Mar made the announcement Wednesday that he’s dropped out of the August Tory MP nomination race in Calgary Centre.

According to the Calgary Herald, Mar has long had hopes to succeed political mentor Lee Richardson as the member of parliament in the riding, and had received his young family’s blessing to pursue the by-election bid once Richardson quit to join Premier Alison Redford’s staff in May.

His family has had second thoughts this month however.

Mar has been working as city councillor during the day then campaigning in the evenings, and the father of two boys and a 17-month-old daughter was concerned he wouldn’t be around enough for them.

He will instead run for a third term as Ward 8 alderman in the civic election next year.