Withdrawals in Cook County judicial races -- so far

By close of business today, Cook County judicial candidates who have filed petitions for more than one vacancy must decide and declare for one vacancy only.

At this hour, the Illinois State Board of Elections is reporting that Pamela McLean Meyerson has pulled out of the race for the countywide O'Brien vacancy on the Circuit Court; she will run in the 11th Subcircuit for the Urso vacancy.

On the other hand, according to the ISBE, Judge Kevin W. Horan has pulled out of the race for the Riley vacancy in the 4th Subcircuit, deciding to pursue the countywide O'Mara Frossard vacancy instead.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the withdrawal list, however, at least so far, is that Judge Caroline Kate Moreland has decided to abandon her bid for the countywide Stralka vacancy. This was the only vacancy for which Judge Moreland filed, presumably ending her bid for election to the bench in 2012. (Judge Moreland currently serves by appointment to the countywide Stewart vacancy, but that appointment will expire next December, when the candidate elected to that vacancy takes office.)

Check back later tonight or tomorrow to see who else has withdrawn.