Steve Pickard, 40, represents Chatham, Ont., on the Chatham-Kent municipal council. He was released from police custody Wednesday, due to appear in court July 7. (Liberal Party of Canada)A city councillor and federal liberal candidate in Chatham, Ont., is free on bail after being arrested on six charges.

Steve Pickard, 40, is charged with assault, forcible confinement and four counts of making death threats.

The married father of two spent two nights in jail before his release Wednesday afternoon.

Pickard sits on Chatham-Kent municipal council and is the Liberal candidate for Chatham-Kent-Essex.

The local Liberal riding association is asking for privacy for Pickard, who it says is both a private citizen and a politician.

'People are innocent until proven guilty. The party is not in the business of prejudging the legal system.'—Terry Johnson, Liberal riding president

"This is predominantly a private matter," said Terence Johnson, riding president.

"He remains the candidate until anything comes to pass before the court. People are innocent until proven guilty. The party is not in the business of prejudging the legal system."

Voters weigh in

The court of public opinion, however, is another matter.

'I mean it looks bad, somebody that's been charged with some pretty serious things, why would you vote for that person?'—Kyle Harvey

CBC News asked several citizens if word of Pickard's arrest and charges would impact how they might vote in the future.

"No. I wouldn't vote for a politician on those grounds, just because they are representing us people," said Dawn Till.

Kyle Harvey said that he thought Pickard should step down.

Terry Johnson, president of the Chatham-Kent-Essex federal Liberal riding association, said Pickard will remain the party's candidate unless evidence is proven in court. (CBC) "I mean it looks bad, somebody that's been charged with some pretty serious things, why would you vote for that person?" said Harvey.

Brent Moor, however, did not want to be too quick to judge.

"Everybody has their own opinion, but I still think that they should prove it," said Moore.

"It should go through the court system first and then everybody can be comfortable making that decision."

Police have not released any information about what led to the charges, and there is a court-imposed publication ban on details of the case.

Pickard is due back in court Wednesday.