michael-treiman.jpg

Michael Treiman pulled out of the Binghamton mayoral race following a series of threats.

(Screenshot from WBNG)

Update: Michael Treiman reflects on his experience as a candidate, says he may once again seek public office.

Michael Treiman, the only Democratic candidate for Binghamton mayor, pulled out of the race on Tuesday after receiving threats.

WNBF reports that Treiman quit one week after he announced his campaign for public office. Treiman made his announcement on Facebook, saying that he was "officially dropping out of the race as of this moment."

Treiman discussed his bid to challenge Republican incumbent Richard David during an appearance on WNBF's "Binghamton Now" radio program Tuesday morning. Four hours after the show, Treiman received threatening emails.

Tuesday evening, Treiman was still being threatened, but the messages addressed his wife and children. Treiman tells WNBF that the emails were "heinous attempts to scare me off," but he didn't consider leaving the race.

Later that night, Treiman returned home at 8 p.m. after picking up his two-year-old and eleven-month-old children from a sitter. That's when an unidentified person in a pickup truck threw a full soda container at him. Treiman said he was hit in the back as he turned to shield the child he was holding.

Treiman said the man who threw the can yelled "liberal scumbag" before driving away from the scene.

While Treiman didn't report the incident to police, he said two Binghamton police detectives showed up at his home Wednesday morning. He said the investigators said they were told to check on the condition of him and his family.

Treiman tells WNBF that he won't jeopardize the safety of his wife and children while running for office.

There now are no Democrats seeking the mayoral position in Binghamton.