PITTSBURGH — City voters haven’t elected a Republican mayor since the Great Depression — and this year’s candidate has sold his house and is campaigning in absentia from Israel, where he works as a private security consultant.

Nonetheless, Josh Wander said he plans to return for four debates next month with Democrat Bill Peduto, a city councilman who is an overwhelming favorite to win the Nov. 5 general election, a Pittsburgh newspaper reports.

In the meantime, Wander said his staff is conducting his campaign.

“As things calm down here, I will do my best to return with ample time before the election and participate in all the debate forums,” he said.

Wander’s home was sold Sept. 4, but he said he’s maintained the city residency needed to run for mayor by renting another home. Even if that’s not the case, Allegheny County Elections Director Mark Wolosik said it’s too late to legally challenge Wander’s spot on the ballot, though someone could challenge his qualifications to hold office if he’s elected.

A political communications professor told the newspaper Wander’s absence is a slap in the face to Republicans, who are outnumbered by Democrats by more than 2-to-1.

“To knowingly be absent and to make public that my staff is going to run the campaign in my absence, that’s almost reaching the point of being absurd,” said Gerald Shuster of the University of Pittsburgh.

On Wednesday, Wander’s press secretary announced he was resigning. Nathan Catalano, a second-year law student at Pitt, said his decision had nothing to do with the newspaper’s story.

“I am first and foremost a law student,” Catalano said. “With Mr. Wander’s time restraints, I thought it was best we transition to someone who could be more full-time.”