Mayor David Wortman announced late Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma – though the diagnosis isn’t expected to affect either his work as mayor or his re-election campaign.

“Dear fellow residents and voters, as the sitting mayor and a current candidate, I need to inform you, for several reasons, of a very recent development with my health. I have been diagnosed and will begin treatment for a very treatable and manageable type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma. All indications from the medical team are that I will be able to continue my professional work and will feel better with each treatment.”

Wortman is running for re-election on the Nov. 4 ballot against Phil Gilbert, a sitting City Council member who is running as an independent. Wortman said he and his wife decided to make the diagnosis public so that the public was fully informed before going to the ballot box next week.

“As many of you know I am an intensely private person and making the decision to make this public announcement was difficult,” Wortman said. “With an election right around the corner, Jennifer and I feel that you as the voting public should be aware. It is not my intent to influence your decision regarding your vote with this announcement but rather enable you to make an informed decision. Additionally, we hope that this announcement will help dispel any possible rumors. My only ask is that any inquiries are not directed to the city staff or to our places of work.”

Wortman was a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Pittsburgh and commissioned as an officer in the Wortman United States Army. He served for nine years in the active force with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm and later with the Special Forces Regiment. He and his wife Jennifer (Shea) Wortman moved back to Warren in 1998 to raise their family. Wortman began work in the oil industry as a project manager and continued his military career as a National Guardsman. He completed his MBA from Penn State in 2002 and has continued to progress in his civilian career, currently working as a senior executive in the oil and gas industry.

Wortman retired from the National Guard as a Special Forces Colonel with more than 30 years of service. Throughout these years he was deployed multiple times in leadership and command positions in support of national security objectives in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe including tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahel and Horn of Africa.

Wortman has been active coaching youth football, baseball and softball and as a Faith Formation teacher and lecturer at St. Joseph Parish.

“This obviously is not the type of news anyone wants to hear but unfortunately news that so many people deal with daily,” Wortman said. “We pray for all those in our community who are dealing with medical situations of any nature, and we ask for your consideration and prayers for our family. We look forward to seeing you out and about in our beautiful city and as we get closer to the Thanksgiving season, we wish you abundant blessings.”