LEWISTON — Saying it was possible she wouldn’t be able to complete a City Council term if elected, candidate Marianne Bratton-Davies withdrew her name from the Ward 7 ballot Monday.

“I found out from my husband that we may have to relocate, out of state, in May,” Bratton-Davies said Monday afternoon. “I’m disappointed, but I don’t think it would be fair to start a term if I’m not going to be able to finish it.”

City Clerk Kathy Montejo said the candidate was waiting at her office at 8 a.m. Monday morning with an official letter declaring her decision.

Incumbent City Councilor Bob Reed announced his decision to remove his name from the ballot last week.

Bratton-Davies decision leaves one candidate on the ballot, former Planning Board Chair Stephen J. Morgan.

Morgan said Monday he was surprised by Bratton-Davies’ decision. Both took part in a live online chat hosted by the Sun Journal Friday.

“And I thought she had some good things to say,” Morgan said. “I don’t know her personally, but she had a good message.”

Barring a write-in challenge, Morgan will be the new Ward 7 City Councilor after January’s inauguration. He said he’s looking forward to the job.

“Now I just want to see how the other seven stack up,” Morgan said. “I’m hoping we get some good councilors and that we can all work together and lose some of the attention the current council has gained.”

Bratton-Davies is the third candidate to remove her name from the ballot since it was set on Sept. 4. Ward 5 Candidate Charles Soule withdrew his name on Sept. 8, saying he had lost interest in running for election.

Reed withdrew his name on Thursday, saying it was a personal decision.

Montejo said Bratton-Davies’ name will be removed from the official ballot. The ballot was officially set on Sept. 4 but was changed to remove Soule’s name. A proof due back to the printer on Thursday had to be changed again to remove Reed’s name.

Montejo said she was preparing the final proof Monday when Bratton-Davies removed her name.

“I’ve never seen anything like this, in my ten years as a clerk,” Montejo said.

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