Challenger withdraws from 82nd House race

The Alamo resident challenging State Rep. Craig Fitzhugh for his seat in the 82nd House District said on Monday had made a decision to withdraw from the race.

Brian Black, who manages the Crockett County 911 service, sent an e-mail to the State Gazette and weekly newspapers Crockett Times, the Lauderdale County Enterprise and Lauderdale Voice stating his intention to leave the contest.

He had filed as a Democrat on April 4.

"With many hours of thought and prayer, I have decided that this is not the correct time to pursue my political ambitions," said Black. "I do believe that we need to be heard as the people and not just certain groups. Please take it to heart that you are the 82nd district."

The exit is too late for Black's name to be removed from the ballot. Black said on Monday he was working on formally notifying the county election boards, "officially by Friday."

The Dyer County Election Commission is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday to ratify the slate of candidates for the August primary.

Black is married to the former Andrea Bennett, who is the daughter of Larry Bennett. The elder Bennett is running for the Democrat nod in the 77th House District being vacated by State Rep. Philip Pinion.

Brian Black said he wanted "to thank each and every person that has helped me during this time and the encouragement that has been shown to me. May God bless each and every one of you and the State of Tennessee."

Fitzhugh, chairman and CEO of the Bank of Ripley, is running for his eighth term. He has amassed a campaign war chest of $79,070.98, notes the April 4 filing for first-quarter disclosures with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.

Black was not required to turn in a report until July 10.