Nearly three months after announcing an ambitious campaign to run for Pittsburgh mayor without the support of a political party, Marlin Woods announced Saturday that he had withdrawn from the race.
In a statement, the 48-year-old East Liberty resident said he would not defend a challenge to his candidacy petition.
To get on the ballot, Mr. Woods was required to present the names of at least 1,167 residents, 2% of the highest vote cast during the last election. His campaign submitted a total 1,445 signatures.
“On Friday, we were told there would be a hearing Monday where we have to prove that all of the signatures are valid,” said Mr. Woods in a phone call Sunday. “Logistically I don’t know how we, or anybody, could track down those people, during peak vacation time, and get them into court by Monday. I had no option but to resign [from the campaign].”
Mr. Woods said he was surprised such an order is legal.
“Well, it is,” he said. “This is my first go-around and I’m learning like anybody else.”
The challenge to Mr. Woods’ petition was raised by a small number of Democratic voters. He said he would not be attending the hearing, but he and his campaign staff were considering independently verifying each signature by a later date.
“It’s something we’re looking into,” he said.
In a statement released Saturday, Mr. Woods told voters they have not heard the last from him.
“I will continue to advance my positive message and respond to opportunities to provide leadership where and when appropriate in the next four years,” he said. “Stay tuned; we’re just getting started. Working together, our best days lie ahead.”
Mr. Woods said he would keep his appointment to host a “fireside chat” with business leaders Monday.
Few Pittsburghers outside the business world had heard of Mr. Woods when he entered the race as an independent running on a platform of boosting employment through economic opportunity. On Sunday, his website continued to call for “raising the standard,” “finding that missing piece” and promising voters that “[y]our empowerment is my responsibility.”
Mr. Woods said that since the announcement of his withdrawal, he has been “overwhelmed” and “humbled” by contacts from supporters and invitations to talk with people in business and politics.
“We’ll be looking at other opportunities, other elections coming up in the future,” he said.
Mr. Woods entered Pittsburgh’s business culture as a motivational speaker, inspirational leader and entrepreneur. He is founder and CEO of Benefits PLUS Consulting, which pairs health and welfare benefit vendors to employers. In 2015, he authored a book, “Courting the Employ(H)er: A Business-To-Business Romance” (CreateSpace, $9.99), which debuted as a top seller in Amazon’s Business Insurance category.
The Democratic Party has, so far, backed the candidacy of state Rep. Ed Gainey, who won an upset victory over incumbent Mayor Bill Peduto in the Democratic primary in May. Independent candidate William Parker and Republican Tony Moreno, a retired policeman, remain in the race.
John Hayes: jhayes@post-gazette.com.
First Published: August 15, 2021, 8:13 p.m.
