Tom McCullough out of race in District 27

photo Tom McCullough

Tom McCullough says he is dropping out of the four-way GOP primary in the state House District 27 race.

In a statement Friday, McCullough said he believes he was a "viable candidate with a lot to offer." He was facing Tommy Crangle and Charlie White in the primary for the seat being vacated by Rep. Richard Floyd.

But McCullough said Patsy Hazlewood's entry into the race on the final qualifying day changed the dynamics.

"I knew that my original two opponents had strong fundraising capabilities, one in particular. But I was determined to use my resources well and hoped that the many friendships developed in my 42 years of education would compensate for my lack of campaign wealth.

"However, [because of the addition of] another well-respected, strong candidate to the field, one with the ability to dilute my strength on Signal Mountain and to raise a lot of money, I have decided to withdraw," he said.

McCullough, the former principal at Signal Mountain Middle/High School who made an unsuccessful run for the District 1 Chattanooga City Council seat last year, thanked his supporters and said he would decide later whom to support in the May 6 primary.

Thursday was the deadline for first-quarter campaign finance reports, but only Crangle had filed by the deadline. He had raised $29,250 since January.

Whoever wins the primary will face Democrat Eric McRoy in August. McRoy had $544, after raising $1,400 and spending $855, according to his finance report.

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