Former Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Administrator Rob Healy picked up a petition Friday in his bid to run against Mayor Ron Littlefield in the spring.

Mr. Healy has said in the past he planned to pick up the papers. There have been questions whether he would be able to run because some election officials said he does not meet the residency requirements as directed in city statutes.

Hamilton County election officials said Friday that once Mr. Healy turns in his petition, commissioners will make a determination on whether he can run.

Also Friday, Hamilton County Board of Education member Jeffrey Wilson dropped out of the City Council District 5 race, citing personal reasons.

“With a new baby in the home and with other obligations, this is not a good time for me to be involved,” Mr. Wilson said.

He will continue to serve as a school board member, he said. The District 5 race now includes former Hamilton County Election Commissioner Joe Rowe and Russell Gilbert, food services director at Parkridge Valley Hospital.

Also on Friday, Chattanooga residents Joseph Graham and Deborah Scott picked up petitions to run in the City Council District 1 race in March. That seat is occupied by Councilwoman Linda Bennett