By Ed Fletcher, Sacramento Bee

Embattled Placer County Superior Court Judge Joseph O’Flaherty announced today that he will not seek a new six-year term in the upcoming June election.

In September, the state commission overseeing judicial conduct issued a public censure of O’Flaherty — the stiffest punishment available, short of removal from office.

It was the second time the state Commission on Judicial Performance has publicly disciplined O’Flaherty.

O’Flaherty said that ruling didn’t cause him to not seek to return to the bench. He said it would have given an opponent some ammunition but he remained confident.

“It wasn’t the key factor,” O’Flaherty said of the ruling. “I don’t think anybody could have beat me.”

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