Ed Conway, Republican candidate for County Commission Chairman, announced today he was withdrawing from the race.

“I greatly appreciate the many citizens who encouraged me to run for this office and who supported my efforts; however, after careful consideration, I do not feel that the support has been sufficient for me to run a successful campaign,” Conway said in a released statement.

He said a fundraising event held Tuesday was the final litmus test.

“That was the bellwether,” Conway said. “If I had a good turnout and raised some money, I was going to continue.

“I realized without the financial stability, I wasn't going to be able to win the primary. It just made sense to look at it realistically and say I just don't have the support to win.”

This was his first time running for elected office. “I was hoping if I declared that people would come forward and fill the positions and volunteer. And it just didn't happen.”

He said he was still passionate about what he believed needed to be done in the county, including cutting the Chairman’s salary and reforming the Board of Commissioner’s governing structure.

“But I believe it's counterproductive for me to stay in the race and split the vote when we need to move forward,” he added.

Conway said he would return the contributions made to his campaign and encouraged supporters to support Republican Commission Chair candidate Jason Hill instead.

“While our leadership styles differ, the vision Jason and I share for this community is very similar. I will support his election campaign, and I will continue to work for the betterment of Rockdale County in other capacities.”

Qualifying for partisan races, such as County Commission Post I, Commission Chairman, Sheriff, Tax Commissioner, Probate Judge and Magistrate Judge, all State House Representatives and State Senators, and non-partisan positions such as school board and Superior Court Judge, runs this week from May 23 to May 25 noon.

The primary for partisan positions and the election for non-partisan positions is July 31. The regional transportation penny sales tax referendum will also be on the ballot for July 31.

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IN BRIEF (May 23, 3:55 p.m.): Ed Conway, Republican candidate for County Commission Chairman, announced he was withdrawing from the race today.

“I greatly appreciate the many citizens who encouraged me to run for this office and who supported my efforts; however, after careful consideration, I do not feel that the support has been sufficient for me to run a successful campaign,” Conway said in a released statement.

Conway said he would return the contributions made to his campaign and encouraged supporters to support Republican Commission Chair candidate Jason Hill instead. No

“While our leadership styles differ, the vision Jason and I share for this community is very similar. I will support his election campaign, and I will continue to work for the betterment of Rockdale County in other capacities.”

Qualifying for partisan races, such as County Commsission Post I, Commission Chairman, Sheriff, Tax Commissioner, Probate Judge and Magistrate Judge, all State House Representatives and State Senators, and non-partisan positions such as school board and Superior Court Judge, runs this week from May 23 to May 25 noon.

The primary for partisan positions and the election for non-partisan positions is July 31. The regional transportation penny sales tax referrendum will also be on the ballot for July 31.