Disqualified Mayoral Candidate Drops Out Of Race (UPDATED)

ROSWELL, GA -- The candidate who was determined to be ineligible to seek the office of Roswell mayor has formally dropped out of the race. Sandra Sidhom has notified City Clerk Marlee Press that she has withdrawn from the race, city spokesperson Karen Zitomer said late Monday morning.

The city had scheduled a hearing, required by law, for 2 p.m. Oct. 30 to determine whether she met the residency requirements to seek the seat, but that hearing has now been cancelled.

In a statement provided to the city announcing her decision, Sidhom said that while she felt she met the residency requirements, she felt it would be in the best interest for her family, the community and herself to end her bid to see the office.

"I am humbled and honored by the amount of support and passion that has accompanied our historic campaign, and I will continue to fight for the under-served, under-represented citizens of Roswell with the next administration," she said in a statement. "I believe we have accomplished many of our goals through our campaign and have broadened the conversation to include the fundamental tenants of our collective prosperity and addressed many social and economic issues plaguing our community. While I'm deeply saddened to withdraw my candidacy, my hope in the future of this city and capabilities of the next administration to successfully the essential measures which will protect minorities, lower income and members of the LGBTQ community has never been stronger."

She also encourages her supporters to get behind candidate Michael Litten's bid to become the city's next mayor, "as he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to accountability and transparency, environmental conservation, economic development, affordable housing, tackling the opioid epidemic and historic preservation."

In a letter dated Oct. 24, Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said Sidhom was not eligible to run for the office because she had not lived in the city for one year prior to the date of the election, which is Nov. 7, 2017.

The challenge to Sidhom's residency came from Roswell resident Eric Schumacher, who said he filed a challenge to Sidhom's candidacy because he was concerned about the "integrity" of local elections.

"I do not know the details of what led the Fulton County DA to reach the determination," he previously told Patch. "I am saddened that this has happened in our city. We've had more than enough mayoral drama and I feel badly for any lost votes."

In his letter, Howard said the investigation into whether Sidhom could be charged with false swearing remains active, however.

Sidhom is one of five candidates seeking to replace incumbent Mayor Jere Wood, who opted not to seek re-election following a judge's ruling that he, too, was disqualified from running for a fifth term in 2013 due to term limits imposed by the Georgia General Assembly.

Photo: Sandra Sidhom poses soon after she qualified to run for the office of mayor. Credit: Sandra Sidhom