Collegedale Mayor John Turner has abandoned his campaign for the Hamilton County Commission seat in District 9 after some "very deep soul searching," he said.
"It's not the right time in my life, and I didn't want to leave out my family responsibilities and my business responsibilities," he said.
Mr. Turner's name still will be on the ballot, but he urged supporters to get behind Gary Neil, another Republican gunning for the seat.
"He and I think along many of the same lines," Mr. Turner said. "That's who I'll be voting for, and it's who I've told my supporters to endorse."