Health problem sidelines mayoral hopeful

Tech entrepreneur Taleeb Noormohamed has pulled out of the Vancouver mayoral race, citing heart problems.

Noormohamed announced in late May he was seeking the Vision Vancouver nomination for mayor. Just over a week later on Thursday, he posted a statement to his Facebook page to say he would not be continuing his campaign.

“It is with difficulty and disappointment that I announce I must leave the race,” he wrote.

“Yesterday, I was hospitalized following a sudden cardiac event. Doctors have advised me that rest, monitoring, and followup are required. I will be taking their advice. While I am passionately committed to this race and to the type of city we can be, my health must come first.”

Noormohamed says he is throwing his support behind Squamish Nation hereditary Chief Ian Campbell, the other Vision Vancouver mayoral hopeful.

“As I exit the race, Ian Campbell will likely become the Vision nominee and have the opportunity to be Vancouver’s first Indigenous mayor,” he wrote.

“I wish Ian all the best in his campaign ahead and pledge my continued commitment to a city with inclusive, forward looking values where all of us belong.”

The 41-year-old has longtime ties with the Liberal Party of Canada, having run as a Liberal candidate in North Vancouver during the 2011 federal election.

He’s also served as the co-chair of the National Liberal Convention in 2012 and has worked for the Chretien and Martin governments.

A statement issued by the Vision Vancouver party Thursday said that while Noormohamed’s decision is “disappointing news,” they wished him all the best and thanked him for his contributions.

“While this is disappointing news, the Vision Vancouver Board of Directors deeply respects Taleeb’s personal decision, and wishes him a fast recovery and ongoing good health. Decisions like this are never easy,” the statement read.

“In the short time that Taleeb has participated in this race, his passion and commitment to Vision and to Vancouver was clear. His campaign advanced new ideas, and encouraged and facilitated a healthy conversation about a future of our city that is inclusive, sustainable and affordable.

“Vision thanks Taleeb for his contribution to our party, and we look forward to continuing to work with him as we move towards the fall election.”