Rear Engine with transmission/starting issue?

I've got a 30" Crafstman Rear Engine Rider (RER1000) ~2013 (maybe 2012).
After finishing my lawn last weekend, while riding around to the garage, my mower died. I believe it just ran out of gas, so I pushed it into the garage. Then this morning after gasing it up, I turned the key over and nothing happened. I started to push the mower to a more open area, but it wouldn't roll. After inspection and playing around, it appeared the parking brake mechanism at the rear was stuck. After getting the brake to snap open, the mower rolled freely, but still would not attempt to start.
Previously, the higher the gear setting the higher the foot pedal would raise. Now, going past "1" or maybe "2" has no effect. The foot pedal won't come up higher. I have the deck removed and it seems like the lever (at the transmission?) worked by the foot-pedal just won't move any farther. It doesn't seem like anything is obstructing the linkage, but I can't see the whole path of the linkage.
I haven't tested the electrical stuff yet as the gear issues have me a little baffled. Any thoughts? I'm hoping I'm overlooking something simple.
Sincere thanks for any help,
MB