LORAIN, Ohio — Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer is resigning from the city’s highest office at the end of the month, according to a statement he released Thursday afternoon on Twitter.
“I am announcing my resignation as Mayor of Lorain effective at 11:59 p.m. on May 31st, 2019,” he wrote. He won the primary election unopposed on Tuesday, and would have been up for reelection in November.
Ritenauer successfully ran for mayor in 2011 and has remained in office ever since.
He cited family reasons for his decision to leave office.
“While I love Lorain and the work we are doing, more important to me now are nights, weekends, and a position that has more definitive boundaries for my family and me,” he stated. "My wife has only known me as mayor. I do not want that for my daughter in these early, important years.”
Ritenauer says he is leaving the city in the hands if its council members.
“It has been my sincere pleasure and honor to serve our city and to be your mayor,” Ritenauer said on Twitter. “I have always approached the work with full dedication and truly believe my time as mayor will be the toughest, most rewarding job I will ever have. Thank you for your trust in me for all of these years.”
It’s now up to city council to select someone to serve out the remainder of Ritenauer’s term.
Thank you, Lorain. pic.twitter.com/OSdmEzvpoS
— Chase Ritenauer (@MayorChase) May 9, 2019
