And then there were none.

Portland's 2016 election season just got a little lonelier Tuesday when City Council hopeful Nick Caleb decided to drop his upcoming challenge to incumbent Commissioner Steve Novick.

Nick Caleb changed his mind and won't run against Commissioner Steve Novick.

Caleb -- who first announced his decision to run in March -- declared on Facebook that he changed his mind.

"After some intense soul searching and reflection, I came to the conclusion that working two part-time jobs and running for city council will create a level of stress that I won't be able to manage during this time in my life without serious consequences to my mental health," he wrote. "Though it pains me to do so, I must exit the race for city council."

Caleb -- who ran for City Council in 2014, losing to Commissioner Dan Saltzman -- had raised $3,880 this year toward his campaign. He was considered a long shot to unseat Novick.

Caleb had been the only candidate to announce plans to challenge any of the three City Council incumbents up for re-election next year. So far, no challengers have emerged for Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Mayor Charlie Hales.

Among America's big cities, only Portland and Columbus, Ohio, elect (or will soon elect) City Councils exclusively through citywide elections with no district representation. No Portland incumbent has lost a re-election bid since 1992.

-- Brad Schmidt

503-294-7628

@cityhallwatch