Charlie Frame withdrew from the City Council race Friday morning to pursue work and travel opportunities.

Frame, who was running for Councilman Bob Scales’ soon-to-be-vacated North Ward seat, made his decision shortly after an unexpected business issue came up.

“I was sitting down this morning to send off my bio for the voter’s pamphlet,” he said. “And then this business thing came up and I’ll be traveling extensively.”

Frame declined to give details about the business issue, saying only that it involved “personal matters.”

The North Ward race now falls to two candidates – law clerk Matthew van Winkle and environmental activist Hilary Franz.

Frame, who helps manage the mortgage brokerage firm Carloyn Frame Associates, said his new business pursuits would leave little time for the council.

“I didn’t want to do something half,” he said. “I dearly love this island and there’s so much I want to give back to it but, with this new commitment, there’s no way I can put in the time.”