LEWISTON — Mayoral candidate Mark Paradis has been diagnosed with cancer but will continue his election bid, he announced Wednesday morning.

Paradis made the announcement during a 1 p.m. news conference at the Lewiston Public Library.

According to a statement released Wednesday, Paradis, 59, has started radiation treatments that will continue for several more days. He and his doctors will re-evaluate his condition once those treatments are complete.

Paradis’ doctors said he will live long enough to serve one two-year term, the release stated.

“But make no mistake about it, if I am fortunate enough to be elected, I will not let this illness stand in my way of giving 110 percent to this city,” Paradis said in a prepared statement. “I love this beautiful city and I am dedicated to doing what I can to help it continue to move forward.”

An aide to Paradis, who asked not to be identified, said the candidate is making the announcement to be truthful with voters.

Paradis faces Robert Macdonald in a special election Dec. 13, less than a week away.

Macdonald, a former Lewiston police officer and education tech at Lewiston Middle School, has said he wants to limit subsidized housing. 

Paradis, a former city councilor and Planning Board member, said he wants to promote economic development.

Paradis and Macdonald were the top two vote-getters in a field of five candidates in the Nov. 8 municipal election, with Paradis claiming 32 percent of the total votes cast and Macdonald picking up 31 percent. 

Lewiston rules require that a mayor get at least 50 percent of the votes cast, plus one vote. Since neither candidate did, a runoff is required.