Local News in Brief : Santa Ana : Acosta Picks a Race; Political Pace Quickens

Councilman John Acosta says this time he’s made up his mind for sure.

The two-term council member, who first was in, then out, and then reconsidering the November mayoral race, said Wednesday that he is now definitely out. He said he will run instead for reelection to his council seat.

Also Wednesday, Mayor Dan Young returned his nominating petitions for the mayoral race, and Richards L. Norton, a swap meet operator, took out papers for the council seat currently occupied by Dan Griset.

Had Acosta decided to run for mayor, he would have faced Young, who has already raised more than $85,000 in campaign funds.

“There’s just no way I’m going to commit to raising those exorbitant amounts of money to run for mayor of this city,” Acosta said. “My information tells me that, very definitely, I’m in better position to be reelected as a city councilman.”

Acosta will have to run against fellow council member and bitter political opponent Wilson B. Hart, whose residence was placed in the same ward as Acosta’s by a redistricting plan adopted earlier this year.

Last month, Acosta announced that he would abandon his long-stated intention to run for mayor to clear the way for Vernon Evans, another potential candidate. But a few days later, Evans dropped out of the race, prompting Acosta to say he might change his mind and run for mayor after all.