The field for two county seats shrunk Thursday as two candidates dropped out of races.

John Bramwell withdrew his name from a crowded race in commissioner District 3, the seat currently held by David Hillier. Deputy Auditor-Treasurer Kathy Grant dropped out of the race for recorder, leaving Brad Mcbeain and Chief Deputy Recorder Jill Cordes in the race.

While Bramwell called Hillier an honorable man, he said the commissioner has lost touch with the people and has lost control of the county’s economics.

Bramwell said he ran to show taxpayers how much the jail and justice center will cost in the future. Once Jerry Reinartz entered the race, Bramwell said he decided to drop out.

“I did not want to cloud the issues and muddle up the race anymore,” he said.

In withdrawing his candidacy, Bramwell backed Reinartz in District 3 and Tony Bennett, who is challenging Dick Lang, in District 4.

“The important thing is get a new direction for the county, not who has the position,” Bramwell said.

With Bramwell out of the race, there are still three candidates challenging Hillier: Loren Bellrichard, Art Nelson and Reinartz.

Grant declined to comment on her reasons for dropping out of the race for recorder.

Grant, a former long-time employee of Bissen TV & Appliance, said she wanted to run for recorder to have a new challenge. Through her experience with the auditor-treasurer’s office, Grant had said she has a knowledge of the documents and filing systems used in the recorder’s office.

Candidates had until 5 p.m. yesterday to officially drop out of races; however, Auditor-Treasurer Doug Groh said a candidate could still choose not to campaign as a way to drop out.