State Rep. Tom Weldon plans to formally withdraw from his re-election campaign Monday.
Weldon, R-Ringgold, announced March 17 he would not seek a fifth term in the state House of Representatives, though he had registered to run just 10 days earlier. Weldon’s withdrawal left local Republicans divided on how to handle the election for the District 3 seat.
When Weldon announced his resignation, he told the Times Free Press he had told his opponent, Dewayne Hill, the seat would be open soon after Hill filled out his paperwork to run. Hill denies this, saying he had no idea Weldon would hand him an uncontested race.
Some members of the Catoosa County Republican Party are skeptical of the circumstances. They believe Weldon registered even though he never intended to campaign. Those members think Weldon put intended to keep other challengers at bay, allowing Hill to become the lone candidate race for an open seat.
“It appears that [Weldon] played a part in choosing his successor rather than letting the people vote,” Teresa Tatum, second vice chairwoman of the Catoosa County Republican Party, said at the party’s county convention March 19.