This article was updated on Sept. 27 at 5:50 p.m. to include comments from James Ward.
Republican Rick McCabe dropped out of the race for Rye City Council Wednesday afternoon citing an undisclosed illness.
“It is with great regret that I must announce that due to an unforeseen illness from which I will recover soon, I am suspending my campaign for the open city council seat,” McCabe, 52, said in a statement released on Sept. 25.
The chairman of the city’s Recreation Commission, McCabe said voters deserve to make a fully informed choice this November, and he thanked the Rye Republican Party for their support and confidence during the campaign.
“Unfortunately, in the short term, I will be unable to campaign and meet with voters to discuss my positions,” he added. “For now, I need to focus on my health and my family.”
His sudden departure effectively ends the City Council race and hands the seat over to Democratic candidate James Ward, the city’s Sustainability Committee chairman.
“I wish my opponent James Ward the best of luck,” McCabe said.
It’s too late for McCabe’s name to be removed from the November ballot, but he told The Rye Record he will not oppose Ward. And Jana Seitz, co-chair of the Rye City Republican Committee, said the party will not field another candidate.
Ward wished McCabe well, called him a “terrific volunteer leader,” and said he looks forward to working with him when he has recovered. Rye Democratic Committee Chairwoman Danielle Tagger-Epstein also wished McCabe “a speedy recovery.”
Ward told The Record on Friday that his top priority is focusing on an update to the city’s 1985 master plan.
“The single most important opportunity and challenge for the City is to write the next version of the master plan. … The Comprehensive Plan will set forth the goals, objectives, priorities, and recommendations for investing in the infrastructure, environment, and future of the City of Rye,” he said. “With my knowledge and skills, I will greatly contribute to this effort.”
A call Wednesday to the Westchester County Board of Elections was not returned.