UPDATE: 4:50 P.M. Contra Costa Supervisor Federal Glover has submitted to the election office all the signatures required to file for re-election, which rules out a supervisor run by Joe Canciamilla. The two men are close friends and  Canciamlla will not challenge Glover.

Former Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla, a Pittsburg Democrat, has dropped out of contention for the state Senate race despite having spent the past year campaigning and raising in excess of $600,000.

In a statement he sent out to me a few minutes ago, he said he wanted to avoid a “bloodbath” in the Democratic Party and the expenditure of millions of dollars in what was expected to be tough primary race between him and Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord. The incumbent, Tom Torlakson, terms out this year.

The question now is whether or not Canciamilla will — rumors have been flying for months — enter the Contra Costa County supervisor race. The talk has been that incumbent Supervisor Federal Glover, one of Canciamilla’s best friend, would not seek re-election although both men have denied it.

The filing deadline is Friday, so we’ll know soon enough.

Here’s what Canciamilla’s email said:

Citing the need for a unified Democratic Party, Democrat Joe Canciamilla announced today his plans to bow out of the District 7 Senate Primary race.

“This is a huge year for the Democratic Party,” Canciamilla said. “Contra Costa County doesn’t need a bloodbath between two Democrats, which is what this race would have been.”

Despite having raised over $600,000 for his Senate campaign, Canciamilla said that the race would have cost millions of dollars, including independent expenditure campaign mail and television ads on both sides, leaving both Democrats battered and bruised – no matter who came out ahead.

“We saw how brutal and long lasting the wounds from the Senate race between Dan Boatwright and Sunne McPeak were,” Canciamilla added. “We don’t need that kind of divisiveness between Democrats, especially not in a year when a Democrat is likely to take over the White House.”

“I have spent my entire adult life in elected office,” Canciamilla said. “It has been an honor to represent great communities and people who have given me the chance to work to solve problems and create positive change.”

Canciamilla said that he met one-on-one on Wednesday with Darrell Steinberg, incoming President Pro Tem of the Senate, to discuss mutual goals to get California back on track.

“Darrell and I had a great conversation,” Canciamilla added. “We share the view that Democrats are in a unique position this year to make a real difference.” Canciamilla said that he has a number of exciting future opportunities to explore that will keep him involved in shaping public policy in California. “Contra Costa County can expect me to be as vocal, involved and independent as ever on the issues important to our region.”

This will be the first time since Canciamilla was 17 years of age that he won’t be in elected office or in campaign mode. He said he will enjoy spending more time with his wife and his friends, outside of the “rubber chicken circuit.”

As for future elected office, Canciamilla said, “I learned long ago to never say never, so we will see what happens down the road.” “I want to thank everyone who endorsed me, who volunteered and gave me a friendly, encouraging word,” Canciamilla added. “Your support, trust and confidence means the world to me.”