Oct 21, 2003 By Paul Sunyak 3 min read

Unable to run the type of campaign he envisioned, independent Michael J. Cavanagh has decided to withdraw from the race for Fayette County commissioner. Cavanagh, 31, of Uniontown said his incarceration in the Fayette County Prison from Aug. 21 through Oct. 5 on an automobile insurance fraud conviction robbed him of crucial planning time in the election cycle.

He also said that his pending legal action regarding his abduction from a West Virginia parking lot by two Fayette County Adult Probation officers played a role in his decision to bow out.

“Basically, I have this assault-abduction case hanging over my head. And I was hampered and locked up at a crucial time during a campaign, when you need to be out there,” said Cavanagh. “My candidacy has been hampered to the point where it’s in the best interest of everybody to step aside right now. I just want to get my case resolved.”

Cavanagh said that he didn’t get a chance to lay the necessary groundwork, such as putting up signs and meeting people, because of his time in jail. He said that while his name will appear on the ballot and he would serve if elected, he thinks it only fair to notify the electorate of his decision to not run a serious campaign.

“If somehow the people voted for me and I was a winning vote getter, I would serve. But at this time, I’m not able to run an active candidacy. Due to events out of my control, I basically had no chance … to run the kind of campaign that I wanted to run,” said Cavanagh.

“It’s not in me to run a campaign at half, or quarter or 10 percent (of what’s required). I feel I’m doing myself and the people a disservice if I can’t bring a (full) campaign to them. Anything less is unacceptable.”

Cavanagh said that he’s not endorsing any other candidate at this time, but will trust the voters to make an educated choice.

“I leave it to the people of Fayette County to decide. There’s six names on the ballot for county commissioner. The voters need to look at the candidates and see where their interests lay, and see who’s going to represent them and whose hearts are in the right place,” said Cavanagh.

“It saddens me (to withdraw) because I think a lot of issues that need to be before the people are not going to be brought there. There are certain candidates being pushed down their throat, basically. People are trying to buy (the) office.”

Cavanagh said that his withdrawal from this race doesn’t mean he won’t consider future runs for office. “I have an interest in politics. Down the road at some point, I’ll probably be involved again. But at this point I have to concentrate on my family. It was a lot to endure,” said Cavanagh.

After having preliminary discussions with attorneys, Cavanagh said their advice also played a role in his decision to withdraw. He said they didn’t want him saying anything that could complicate his legal situation.

“We don’t want to talk too much about my case and what happened to me, at this point. With that hanging over my head unresolved, it’s not fair to the people of Fayette County (for me to run for commissioner),” Cavanagh said.