JERSEY CITY -- Downtown Councilwoman Candice Osborne will not seek a second term in November, ending months of speculation about her political future and upending the Ward E council race five months before Election Day.

Osborne, 38, told The Jersey Journal in an interview that she wants to devote the next year to spending time with her son, who is entering his senior year in high school in September. She anticipates lots of college tours and filling out applications, she said.

"I keep thinking, when I'm 80 years old, which decision is the one I'll most regret, and not being around for the last year before he goes to college will be it," she said. "I've got a year. Right now it's got to be family."

Osborne's decision dramatically reshapes the council race in Ward E, which includes most of the Downtown. There are four declared candidates: activist Michael "Billy" Bisogno; funeral director Nicholas Grillo; attorney Jake Hudnut; and activist James Solomon. With Osborne's exit the campaign is sure to attract more (petitions to get on the ballot are not due until after Labor Day). It will be the only race besides the one for the Ward A council seat that will not have an incumbent.

One of the chief items facing Osborne's successor is the property revaluation, which is expected to wrap up soon after Election Day. Downtown property owners are bracing for steep tax hikes when the reval is complete.

A strong ally of Mayor Steve Fulop, Osborne was elected in May 2013, winning the council seat Fulop held for two terms. Buoyed by Fulop's enormous popularity Downtown, she was the only council candidate to win that year on the first ballot, nabbing 67 percent of the vote against two other candidates. She is the first woman elected to represent Ward E.

Fulop has been urging her to stay in the race, according to sources close to Osborne. A Hudson County Democrat told The Jersey Journal Fulop wanted to avoid choosing between the other candidates.

"He thinks all of them acted against his administration by jumping out in front" while Candice was still in the race, this person said. "I think he wants Candice to stay so he doesn't have to make a decision."

Osborne did not rule out making another run for elective office in the future. She said she intends to endorse one of the candidates seeking to replace her, possibly in the early fall. She remains a supporter of Fulop and his team, she said.

The nonpartisan race is Nov. 7. The mayoralty and all nine council seats are up for grabs.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.