Just days after his selection as an interim City Council member and just before he is due to be officially sworn in to that position, Ernie Simas has declined to run for a council seat in November.

Simas was one of eight finalists selected for the council position vacated by State Representative Vandana Slatter earlier this year.

He has cited a family medical emergency as the reason he will not be running for an open seat this fall.

“I don’t like to waffle on things,” Simas said. “I just don’t think I could give [the council position] the attention it deserves. I honestly have no idea how much time [the family situation] is going to take, and I don’t want to start something I can’t finish.”

Simas has endorsed Janice Zahn, another one of the finalists for Slatter’s vacated position on the council.

“Janice shares a lot of the same personal characteristics I do,” he said. “She’s very open-minded and wants to hear all the sides of an issue before she makes a decision. I think she’s conscientious and a good choice for the city of Bellevue.”

Zahn announced her intent to run for City Council Position 5 after receiving Simas’ support.

Also up for election this fall are Positions 2, 4 and 6, currently held by councilmembers Conrad Lee, Lynne Robinson and Kevin Wallace, respectively.