File Photo St. Clairsville President of Council Tim Porter has announced he is ending his candidacy for mayor.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The four-way race for the city’s mayoral seat is now a contest between three candidates with Tim Porter no longer in the running.

The Belmont County Board of Elections confirmed Tuesday that Porter, current president of council, has withdrawn his candidacy for mayor this Election Day, Nov. 5.

Porter released a brief note, stating he was withdrawing his candidacy for “personal reasons.” He later responded to an interview request, stating the continuing “drama” of the campaign had convinced him to step out of the race.

“The bottom line is my family is done with it all. There’s too much freaking drama. Too much stuff flying around. All I’ve ever done is work hard for this city and try to make things right. Do things the right way. When you get the citizens themselves not looking at the right side of the whole picture, it’s tough,” he said. “I appreciate the support that I’ve gotten from the constituents to friends, but it got to be too much.”

Porter said he will remain in his role of president of council and continue to serve the city in that capacity. His current term ends Sept. 31, 2021.

The past months have been contentious in St. Clairsville, with debates focusing on the future of water and wastewater service. Incumbent Mayor Terry Pugh is in favor of selling the system to Aqua Ohio, a private state-regulated entity that has submitted a bid. The proposed contract is expected to go before city council members during their Oct. 7 meeting.

The other candidates have expressed degrees of opposition to privatization, with Bill Brooks as a vocal opponent and Kathryn Thalman saying she continues to have unanswered questions.

Porter is also among those accused by Pugh of leaking a then-confidential investigation on Police Chief Jeff Henry’s treatment of subordinates to the public. Henry has since filed suit against the city.

Regarding the future of water service, citizens have held two rallies against privatization, spearheaded by Brooks and others and attended by Thalman and some council members, and recent council meetings have been packed with attendants.

Recently, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has found algae blooms in the reservoirs which could lead to harmful toxins. Thalman and others have said this reflects badly on the current city government while Jim Zucal, safety and service director in Pugh’s administration, said algae blooms are becoming a common issue. The EPA has also mandated costly upgrades and hiring a Class 3 water operator, which had been delayed by the negotiations with Aqua Ohio.

City leaders are in the process of holding three readings of a resolution for an independent study of the water system to explore options and costs of maintaining local control. This could take 90 days and delay council’s vote on privatization until after the mayoral election.

Officials and experts agree rates will increase no matter what decision is made.

Pugh said he was surprised to hear the news of Porter’s withdraw Tuesday.

“I’m kind of speechless,” he said.

Brooks said he was saddened to hear of Porter’s decision. Brooks said he would continue his campaign, promising transparency in government.

“I think it’s terrible,” he said. “I wish Mr. Porter had stayed in the race. He was a good candidate. I have nothing against Mr. Porter as a person, I just thought I could do a better job.”

Thalman said she would work to earn the trust — and the votes — of Porter’s supporters.

“It’s with shock and sadness that I heard of Tim Porter dropping out of the mayoral candidacy, and I hope whatever his reasons are, his family and he come through it well,” Thalman said.“I look forward to working with him next year as president of council.”