D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) is dropping her bid for a fifth term in the city’s legislature, unexpectedly opening up a race that she had been raising funds for since last year and was largely favored to win.

Veteran D.C. reporter Tom Sherwood first tweeted the news on Thursday night, which was subsequently confirmed by DCist/WAMU.

In a newsletter released Friday, Cheh says she has “reevaluted” her life during the pandemic, and will be focusing on her personal life, and spending time with her grandchild.

“It is time for someone else to pick up the mantle,” she wrote.

Cheh, now in her 70s, was first elected to the council in 2006, making her the second longest-serving member of the 13-member legislature. A lawyer and constitutional law professor by trade, Cheh first came to D.C. politics when she helped conduct an investigation into the Metropolitan Police Department’s handling of anti-globalization protests from 2000-2004, which led to sweeping legislation that changed how police manage demonstrations. (The investigation was led by former Ward 3 Councilmember Kathy Patterson, who Cheh succeeded.)

While on the council, Cheh authored legislation on everything from healthy foods in D.C. schools and sustainable energy programs to election reforms and taxicab upgrades. She also passed a bill that legalized physician-assisted suicide for terminal patients, outlawed gas-powered leaf blowers and plastic straws and styrofoam containers, and fought (over some neighbor objections) to place a family homeless shelter in McLean Gardens. Cheh was also one of the five councilmembers who voted against repealing Initiative 77, the measure approved by voters in 2018 that would have eliminated the tipped minimum wage in D.C.

While considered a reliably liberal member of the body, she also took more conservative positions on paid family leave and tax increases on wealthy households. Earlier this month, after a deadly shooting at a Days Inn in Van Ness, Cheh drew criticism when she claimed that residents experiencing homelessness who were placed in Ward 3 housing were causing crime.

In her last three races, Cheh faced no competition in the all-important Democratic primary and only nominal challenges in the general election. She filed for re-election last June, and as of January had more than $87,000 in her campaign war chest — though she had only spent some $3,200. (Cheh was participating in the city’s public financing program.) There are currently two Democrats vying for the seat: ANC Commissioner Monika Nemeth and realtor Deirdre Brown. David Krucoff is vying to be the Republican candidate for the general election.

Of the other council seats up for election this year, only Ward 5 will similarly not have an incumbent running for re-election.