(Photo courtesy of the city of Mesa)

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith filed papers on Thursday to run for governor.

Former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said he will not enter the GOP primary to succeed retiring Congressman Matt Salmon.

The fifth district encompasses the East Valley and is seen as a safe Republican seat. In a Facebook post Tuesday morning, Smith said this was not the right time for him to run for Congress and that he couldn’t give a campaign his full attention, passion and energy right now.

Smith’s decision leaves Senate President Andy Biggs and State Representative Justin Olson as the only candidates in the race so far. Stan Barnes, president of Copper State Consulting, spoke about the topic, including whether they’ll stay the only candidates in the race.