MONROE - The number of candidates running for the Ward 7 seat on the city council has been reduced by one, but that name will still be printed on the ballot.
Rob McCarthy dropped out of the race early this week, notifying the city clerk office by phone.
Ward 7 had four candidates running in the April 3 general election; McCarthy, Tony Gratz and Louis Armstrong were challenging incumbent Thurston Hanson.
McCarthy said he decided to drop out after a motion to hold a February primary failed to get enough votes in the Common Council Tuesday, Jan. 3.
McCarthy said too many challengers on the ballot in April will split the likelihood that any one of them would beat out Hanson.
"By splitting the (challengers') votes, I can't risk the incumbent being re-elected," he said Tuesday. "I'm going to allow (my) percentage to go to the other two challengers."
McCarthy asked for his name to be removed from the ballot, but, according to City Clerk Carol Stamm, he had gained ballot status and cannot be removed.
"I am going to take measures to let people know - do not vote for me," he added.
McCarthy said he has not thrown his support behind either of the other two challengers yet.
"I have to see what they offer," he added.
McCarthy wanted a primary election to be held in February. He called the failed council vote to hold a primary "a disservice to the city."
Only two aldermen, Tyler Schultz and Charles Koch, voted in favor of the primary. Both are running against each other and challenger Scott Golackson for the new Ward 5 seat.
Hanson abstained from the vote. Aldermen Beer, Stangel, Conway, Lefevre and Boyce voted against the primary; Bauman and Hunter were absent. The motion needed six votes to pass.
"Schultz and Koch voting for it was great," McCarthy said. "There should be a primary. The right to vote is one of the most sacred parts of the country."
McCarthy maintains that, without a primary, the full ticket of candidates on the Ward 7 ballot is "taking away a fair vote" and "skews the votes for the incumbent."
"Voters are going to go to the poll and look at the incumbent and say, 'Well, I know the devil,' and vote for him," he said. "I want an alderman who will lead with privilege and represent the city with class. That has not been done in this ward."
McCarthy said he will continue to contribute his time and efforts working on events and issues that will help the city.
Editor's note: A Letter to the Editor from McCarthy regarding his reasons for withdrawing appears on Page A4 of today's edition.
Rob McCarthy dropped out of the race early this week, notifying the city clerk office by phone.
Ward 7 had four candidates running in the April 3 general election; McCarthy, Tony Gratz and Louis Armstrong were challenging incumbent Thurston Hanson.
McCarthy said he decided to drop out after a motion to hold a February primary failed to get enough votes in the Common Council Tuesday, Jan. 3.
McCarthy said too many challengers on the ballot in April will split the likelihood that any one of them would beat out Hanson.
"By splitting the (challengers') votes, I can't risk the incumbent being re-elected," he said Tuesday. "I'm going to allow (my) percentage to go to the other two challengers."
McCarthy asked for his name to be removed from the ballot, but, according to City Clerk Carol Stamm, he had gained ballot status and cannot be removed.
"I am going to take measures to let people know - do not vote for me," he added.
McCarthy said he has not thrown his support behind either of the other two challengers yet.
"I have to see what they offer," he added.
McCarthy wanted a primary election to be held in February. He called the failed council vote to hold a primary "a disservice to the city."
Only two aldermen, Tyler Schultz and Charles Koch, voted in favor of the primary. Both are running against each other and challenger Scott Golackson for the new Ward 5 seat.
Hanson abstained from the vote. Aldermen Beer, Stangel, Conway, Lefevre and Boyce voted against the primary; Bauman and Hunter were absent. The motion needed six votes to pass.
"Schultz and Koch voting for it was great," McCarthy said. "There should be a primary. The right to vote is one of the most sacred parts of the country."
McCarthy maintains that, without a primary, the full ticket of candidates on the Ward 7 ballot is "taking away a fair vote" and "skews the votes for the incumbent."
"Voters are going to go to the poll and look at the incumbent and say, 'Well, I know the devil,' and vote for him," he said. "I want an alderman who will lead with privilege and represent the city with class. That has not been done in this ward."
McCarthy said he will continue to contribute his time and efforts working on events and issues that will help the city.
Editor's note: A Letter to the Editor from McCarthy regarding his reasons for withdrawing appears on Page A4 of today's edition.