AUSTINTOWN Republican Emily Ciccone formally withdrew her candidacy for Austintown Township Trustee on Friday, less than a week after pleading not guilty to a domestic violence charge.

Ciccone, 29, submitted a letter to the Mahoning County Board of Elections stating that "after careful consideration of personal, professional, and other relevant factors," stepping down was the most "responsible course of action."

She was one of six candidates vying for two trustee seats in the Nov. 4 general election.

The Mahoning County Board of Elections confirmed that while Ciccone's name will remain on ballots due to the timing of her withdrawal, any votes cast for her will not be counted.

Remaining candidates are incumbents Monica Deaver, Robert Santos, as well as Carl Clay, James Davis, and Michael Rapovy.

Ciccone pleaded not guilty Monday to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge following an alleged altercation last week at her home with her husband, Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael Ciccone.

According to a police report, officers responded to a 911 call and found her husband bleeding from a leg wound that required stitches. Ciccone's attorney, Frank Cassese, said she has claimed self-defense.

The case is scheduled for a pretrial hearing next week.