There will not be a Democratic nominee to a U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the Democratic Party of Arkansas announced on Nov. 25.
Josh Mahony, who was the only Democratic candidate, announced on Nov. 12 he was withdrawing his candidacy.
“After exhaustive and careful examination with our legal counsel and our party leaders and without additional information from Mr. Mahony, the Democratic Party of Arkansas will not be able to field a candidate for United States Senate,” said Chairman Michael John Gray in a statement.
Because the decision came hours before the filing deadline, Democrats couldnt field another candidate unless Mahony withdrew due to “serious illness,” as outlined in Arkansas Code 7-7-106.
Gray said party officials have been trying to speak with Mahony but he hasnt provided details pertaining to the withdrawal.
“The statute clearly delineates the reasons; moving out of state, death or a serious illness. We have not been presented, nor have we been able to find any evidence to support any claim of a serious illness that would allow us to replace the candidate on the ballot,” Gray told reporters at the partys headquarters.
A lawyer for Mahony said the reason for the withdrawal was a family health issue.
Annie Depper, an attorney for the Democratic Party of Arkansas, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the Arkansas code might let another candidate run even if Mahony himself wasnt ill.
“It doesnt say whether it has to be the candidate or it could be a family member,” she said about the “serious illness.”
The Republican Party of Arkansas has said it will file a lawsuit if DemocratsRead More – Source