A two man race for the U.S. House of Representatives Republican Primary will shift to just one man moving forward.
Clint Tribble, who was challenging incumbent Phil Roe on the ticket, suspended his campaign Friday. Tribble contacted the Elizabethton Star morning to confirmed the suspension.
“I decided last night to suspend my campaign,” he said. “Myself and my family have received threats and I feel this is the best thing to do moving forward.
In a letter addressed online, Tribble explained his decision to the voters of Tennessee:
“To my friends, family & supporters, it is at this time, with a heavy heart, I must suspend my campaign for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 1 of Tennessee.
The reasons are as follows:
* We have received countless anonymous threats during this campaign in one form or another, most of them demanding I quit campaigning. Some of them seemed harmless, some far more serious. (Let me be clear, I do not believe my opponent or his campaign have anything whatsoever to do with these threats.)
* I can no longer go forward as I feel I am putting myself and my family is harm’s way.
I will suspended the campaign, as of July 1, 2016. I want to thank my supporters so much for their enthusiasm. I want to them to understand I have considered this decision very seriously, and I have not done it lightly. We will be refunding all contributions made to the campaign as well. I also wish Congressman Phil Roe the best, and I know he will continue to do a good job for the people of East Tennessee.
Sincerely, Clint Tribble.”
Tribble, a Knoxville native, decided to place his hat in the ring for the election, after serving as a farmer and professional poker player.
While the decision sets a clear route for Roe to win the nomination, Tribble’s name will stay appear on ballots for early voting and on August 4.
“The withdrawal deadline has already passed,” Carter County Administrator of Elections Tracy Harris said. “So Tribble’s name will appear on the August ballot.”