Rep. Kathleen Peters has taken herself out of the running for a spot on the Public Service Commission.

Peters, who in 2017 decided to run for a spot on the Pinellas County Commission rather than seek another term in the State House, announced her decision in a Saturday morning statement.

"Since submitting my application, I have learned that the City of St. Petersburg is seeking permission to pump sewage into the aquifer beneath Pinellas from which we draw our water," Peters said in the statement. "Many of my constituents are very upset by this possibility and have urged me to fight this proposal. I believe I can best do that by continuing on the course I had previously set forth as a candidate for the Pinellas County Commission."

The Public Service Commission, a state board that regulates utilities, is made up of four commissioners, each of whom is nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate.

Read Peters' entire statement here:

Throughout my professional and political career, I have worked to protect children, strengthen families, and build strong communities. As a state legislator and local government official, I have kept these goals at the forefront of my endeavors in public service.

When presented with the opportunity to seek appointment to the Public Service Commission, I felt that my experience in business, local and state government, and as Chair of the House Energy and Utilities Subcommittee would well suit me for the position. In the Florida House, I sponsored legislation to protect consumers who must buy their electricity from monopolies regulated by the state. I am proud that it was my bill that helped reduce the cost of closing down nuclear projects, saving Duke Energy customers nearly $600 million.

Many colleagues, constituents and friends have voiced their support and encouragement in my application for the Public Service Commission, and I am honored to have been selected as one of the candidates to be interviewed by the PSC Nominating Council. Since submitting my application, I have learned that the City of St. Petersburg is seeking permission to pump sewage into the aquifer beneath Pinellas from which we draw our water. Many of my constituents are very upset by this possibility and have urged me to fight this proposal. I believe I can best do that by continuing on the course I had previously set forth as a candidate for the Pinellas County Commission.

With that in mind, I have decided to respectfully withdraw my application for the Public Service Commission and continue to focus first on the privilege of serving my constituents as a State Representative, and subsequently on my campaign for District 6 on the Pinellas County Commission. I believe I am uniquely qualified in so many ways to serve our residents, and want to devote my full energy to that endeavor.

I thank the Nominating Council for their faith and consideration in advancing my application.