With runoff voting already underway, GOP congressional candidate bows out

Kelly Daughtry (left) and Brad Knott (Photos: Daughtry and Knott campaign websites)

Early voting in the runoff election for the Republican nomination in the state’s 13th congressional district commenced a week ago and won’t conclude until Tuesday May 14, but it appears the campaign has ended today.

And once again, Donald Trump’s iron grip on Republican voters appears to have been the driving force.

Kelly Daughtry, the daughter of longtime state lawmaker and one-time House Majority Leader Leo Daughtry, and the leading vote-getter in the March 5 primary, announced today that she has suspended her campaign.

In a statement posted to her campaign Facebook page, Daughtry said:

“In light of President Trump’s endorsement of Brad Knott for the Congressional seat in District 13, it has become clear that a pathway to victory is no longer feasible. I believe in the democratic process and respect the endorsement of our President.

The time has now come to suspend my campaign. Although I will no longer be a candidate, I will not stop using my voice for the things I believe in. I will focus on conservative voter registration operations and supporting the nominated conservative judicial candidates running in November.

Brad Knott will be the Republican nominee on May 14th. I extend my congratulations to him and wish him well. Brad has my full endorsement, and I want him to know that I am here to support him, not to oppose him.”

The announcement all but guarantees that Knott will be elected to Congress in a November contest against Democrat Frank Pierce, as the 13th district was redrawn by Republican state legislators last year to assure a GOP victory.

The demise of the Daughtry candidacy is reminiscent of what occurred in late March in the 6th congressional district, when former Congressman Mark Walker declined to seek a runoff against newcomer Addison McDowell, despite having lost the primary contest by only 2%. McDowell also received Trump’s endorsement and Walker opted to take a position in the Trump campaign when he withdrew.

In making her Thursday announcement, Daughtry — who actually bested Knott 27.39% to 18.67% in March, just short of the 30% need to avoid a runoff — made no mention of any future plans other than supporting Knott’s candidacy.

The post With runoff voting already underway, GOP congressional candidate bows out appeared first on NC Newsline.