David Williams, the former UCCS student body president and former co-chairman of the  UCCS College Republicans, has withdrawn his bid for the El Paso County Commission District 5 seat and thrown his support behind Peggy Littleton.

Littleton, a member of the State Board of Education who 18 months ago set her sights on winning the seat being vacated by Commissioner Jim Bensberg, got nearly 74 percent of the delegate votes at the county assembly on Saturday.

Neither Williams or William Guevera got enough votes to get a spot on the ballot, but Williams reached the 10 percent threshold that would have allowed him to petition his way onto the ballot.

In an e-mail message forwarded to the Gazette by Littleton, Williams said he felt that Peggy was the best equipped candidate to take on Democrat Mike Merrifield.

“I realize that many may be disappointed with my decision. However, what the El Paso County Republican Party needs right now is unity,” he said.

“Additionally, I have spoken with Peggy and I am confident that she will be committed to fiscal responsibility and limited government. Peggy has a good record in maintaining our conservative values and I believe she will continue that good record as a county commissioner.”

Kay Rendleman, chairwoman of the El Paso County Republicans, said Williams called her Monday and informed him of his decision. District 5, said Rendleman, is a seat that has been held by Republicans for a while. “In Peggy Littleton we have a very strong candidate.”

Littleton said she was not surprised by the vote. “I’ve been calling my delegates and counting my votes. I knew where we stood.”

Littleton, who wears a size five shoe, is not going to let any grass grow under her feet. She’s poised to take on Mike Merrifield, a Democrat, teacher, and veteran legislator.

Five candidates are vying for the District 5 county commission seat that is currently being held by term-limited Jim Bensberg. And a sixth may be on the way “making it an even half dozen,” said Kay Rendleman, chairwoman of the El Paso County Republican Party.

The candidates include Peggy Littleton, state Board of Education member for the 5th Congressional District and a regular at commission meetings; Ed Jones, former state senator and former commissioner from 1994 to 2002; Bill Guevara, a former official from California; Patrick Carter, former precinct leader and Republican chairman for House District 16, and David Williams, UCCS student body president and possibly the youngest-ever candidate to run for the county commission.

By contrast, Darryl Glenn, a city councilor and Republican party favorite, has the field to himself in District 1, which is the seat being vacated by term-limited Wayne Williams.

To recap the other races: Three candidates are vying for the El Paso Clerk and Recorder’s Office, including Wayne Williams, Charles E. Corry, a research scientist and computer expert, and Treasurer Sandra Damron, who is also term-limited.

And three candidates running for the Treasurer’s Office: They include Jim Bensberg and term-limited Bob Balink, as well as Tom Mowle , a Democrat who in February 2008 was appointed as public trustee for El Paso County.