The mayoral race in Lititz is no longer a contest.

Greg Nies has ended his run for mayor, leaving Ronald Oettel Jr. as the sole candidate to replace Russell Pettyjohn, who is stepping down after 16 years in office.

Nies, 52, is a computer-aided drafting supervisor for Derck & Edson Associates of Lititz and former member of borough council. Nies, who had been endorsed by the Warwick GOP Committee, ran unsuccessfully against Pettyjohn for mayor in 2001 and 2005.

This morning, Nies said he has dropped out of the race for "personal reasons," declining to elaborate.

Warwick GOP Committee Chairman Jeff Conrad said Nies called him Friday afternoon to withdraw from the mayoral race.

Conrad read a prepared statement:

"Due to personal reasons, Greg Nies has informed me that he no longer desires to seek the Republican nomination for the position of Lititz Borough Mayor. The Warwick area Republican committee has also therein withdrawn its support of his candidacy, effectively immediately."

Oettel, 46, is the northeast regional director for Provident Agency, based in Pittsburgh, which provides accident and life insurance to emergency services providers.

Oettel has served 29 years with the Lititz Fire Company, the last 15 as chief. Pettyjohn has endorsed Oettel in the race.

No Democratic candidate has filed for the mayoral race.


Staff writer Chad Umble can be reached at cumble@LNPnews.com or 481-6031.