SMITHFIELD — Virtually any chance of a Democratic sweep of the Town Council in next month’s election vanished yesterday with the announcement that Richard A. DiIorio has withdrawn as a candidate.

According to Lawrence J. Mancini, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, DiIorio cited “personal and business reasons” for dropping out of the race. He said that DiIorio has filed a certificate of withdrawal with the secretary of state and with the town’s Board of Canvassers. He said the departing candidate notified him in a letter on Sept. 30.

DiIorio’s departure leaves four Democratic candidates for five open seats. They are opposed by five Republicans and by four independents.

Mancini said state law does not allow the local party to nominate a replacement candidate under the circumstances in which DiIorio dropped out. If there had been a Democratic primary, he said, and a candidate could no longer serve due to death, disability or a relocation to another district, the local party committee could have recommended a replacement.

But, he said, “Not for just leaving for business or personal reasons. Unfortunately I am unable to offer any other alternative.”

The chairman said however that he would check with member of the Democratic Town Committee on the possibility of endorsing a write-in candidate. “It’s a novel idea,” he said.

tmorgan@projo.com