Republican mayoral candidate John Gill is dropping out of the race "for personal reasons," according to the GOP's party chairman, T. J. Barnes.
Barnes said Friday that "something came up suddenly" and Gill, a 29-year-old attorney, could not continue.
The Republicans scrambled to find an alternative challenger to Democratic Mayor Art Ward over the last few days and have apparently come up with someone.
Barnes said the party will introduce its candidate early next week.
Barnes said that GOP leaders were "very disappointed" that Gill had to drop out, but given the circumstances, they understand his decision.
"I'll leave it up to John to explain," Barnes said.
Barnes said that Gill is "a good guy" who has a bright future in the party. He said he fully expects that Gill will be involved for years to come.
Barnes said that Gill is part of the Republican effort to "reinvent ourselves" and bring new, young people into its ranks.
"Our bench isn't that deep," Barnes said, and newcomers such as Gill offer hope for the future.
The mayoral race also has an independent contender, Gary Lawton. The election is November 3.
I'll have more on this story as it develops today, including, I trust, something from Gill.
I do want to say up front, though, that I am aware of the circumstances that caused Gill to make his decision and I won't allow comments speculating about them. It is not something that Gill or the Republicans could have anticipated.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
17 comments:
Amazing that the Republicans could come up with a candidate just days before the nomination, and then come up wth a replacement in just a few days.
Why didn't they get candidates weeks and months ago when we could have had time to learn about them, and they could have had time to tell us what they were all about?
So tell us Mr.Barns, who did Mocabee select?
Thank you, Steve for keeping Mr. Gill's private matters private.
I'm sure he appreciates it, and I hope we all can wish him the best.
"Our bench isn't that deep,"
And who's fault is that TJ, Gary, Henry, Ellie, Sharon, Bill etc?
I had heard rumors for a while that he was just a placeholder for a republican candidate.
Not sure what went on, but I appreciate your attitude, Steve, about not airing certain comments that will be, undoubtedly, negative and completely insulting.
Hope everything is okay with this kid. Can't say that I thought he had the experience or the Bristol background to run, but at least he was willing to stick his neck out there. Maybe if he gets involved in other ways in the next few years, his chance will come again.
Good luck and God bless to Mr. Gill.
good for him.
Gill, you made the right choice.
Although I did not have a chance to meet Mr. Gill one on one i do wish him the best and hope everything turns out the best for him
Craig Yarde!!!!
11:08
For a number of years now, Schafrick, Mocabee have been the string pullers.
Where are they now?
August 14, 2009 11:08 AM:
It's not their fault. They can't help it.
Joe Geladino!
Where is Ken Johnson when we need him?
Mocabee, this is your big chance to be a hero.
Go for it!
Better than the crazy shows on TV.
But not as believable.
The Republicans seem to have picked up the Geladino habit "throw in the white towel"
Geladino a couple of times, then Johnson, now Gill.
Ceratinly does not help Bristol1
Droppin like flies!
They had one who was willing but they let him get away, because of their pride and thinking that you had to be a chosen one, Who's laughing now
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