The Washington State Department of Transportation will restart its search for a new chief to lead Washington State Ferries.

Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson notified WSF staff Tuesday that the search for a new assistant secretary would start over.

In an email to staff, Peterson said Interim Assistant Secretary George Capacci withdrew his name from consideration for the post over the past weekend.

Capacci, who was named interim assistant secretary in charge of the Ferries Division in March, was one of two candidates for the job.

John Ladenburg, an attorney who has served as Pierce County executive, Pierce County prosecuting attorney and the chairman of the Sound Transit board, was also under consideration for the position.

Peterson said Tuesday the recruitment effort would begin anew.

“I am grateful to both candidates for participating in this process,” Peterson said in an email to WSF employees. “I am especially grateful that Captain Capacci will remain in the interim role until we fill the position and will then return to his previous role as Deputy Chief for Operations & Construction. George has my full support.”

The announcement came after the first two meet-and-greet events were held with the two finalists last week in Bremerton and Friday Harbor.

The Department of Transportation is looking for a new head of the ferries division following the resignation of David Moseley, who left the assistant secretary position April 15.