This leaves City Councilors David Narkewicz and Michael Bardsley as the only two declared candidates for mayor.
NORTHAMPTON - James E. Durfer, one of three candidates who have taken out nomination papers for mayor of Northampton, said Thursday he will not be returning those papers.
Durfer said he still plans to seek a seat on the city’s Community Preservation Act committee, but that health issues preclude him running for mayor. He said he has ALS, also known as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
That leaves City Councilors David Narkewicz and Michael Bardsley as the only two declared candidates.
Six-term incumbent mayor Mary Clare Higgins announced in May that she will not run for re-election. When she resigns in September to direct a human services agency in Greenfield, Narkewicz will become acting mayor. Bardsley unsuccessfully challenged Higgins for mayor two years ago.
The deadline for nomination papers is Aug. 9. The election is Nov. 8.