As News Channel 3 and wreg.com first reported yesterday, Bill Gibbons has dropped out of the race for Tennessee Governor. Gibbons made the official announcement minutes ago in Nashville.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Republican Bill Gibbons is abandoning his gubernatorial campaign over money concerns.
The Shelby County district attorney general announced Friday that he made his decision to withdraw because he was unable to raise enough money to be competitive.
Gibbons said his campaign strategy called for a total budget of $2.5 million - considerably less than his main rivals - but that he has twice failed to reach an interim goal of $1 million.
The primary is Aug. 5.
Gibbons' departure leaves a field of Republicans that include Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, state Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga.
The Democratic candidates are Jackson businessman Mike McWherter and former state House Majority Leader Kim McMillan of Clarksville.
Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen can't run again because of term limits.
Mike Matthew's story from Thursday
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
( Memphis 3/25/2010) Shelby County District Attorney, and gubernatorial candidate Bill Gibbons is expected to drop out of the race for governor on Friday, March 26th.
According to a statement from his campaign this afternoon, Gibbons, who has been seeking the Republican nomination, will hold two news conferences to offer a significant update on the status of his campaign.
The first, in Nashville, at 10:30am. The second, in Memphis, at 4:00pm.
When Gibbons announced his candidacy, he did it first in Nashville, then in Memphis.
Sources close to the Tennessee Republican Party say the Gibbons campaign has been in financial trouble.
They reportedly are down to about 45 days worth of cash. A source says "Â…his rundraising opportunities have pretty much dried up."
Gibbons has been outspent by all his opponents so far.
While his press secretary, Bonny Kinney, refuses to confirm or deny that Gibbons will drop out, several well placed sources in the Tennessee Republican Party are saying he's out.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Republican Bill Gibbons is abandoning his gubernatorial campaign over money concerns.
The Shelby County district attorney general announced Friday that he made his decision to withdraw because he was unable to raise enough money to be competitive.
Gibbons said his campaign strategy called for a total budget of $2.5 million - considerably less than his main rivals - but that he has twice failed to reach an interim goal of $1 million.
The primary is Aug. 5.
Gibbons' departure leaves a field of Republicans that include Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, state Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga.
The Democratic candidates are Jackson businessman Mike McWherter and former state House Majority Leader Kim McMillan of Clarksville.
Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen can't run again because of term limits.
Mike Matthew's story from Thursday
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
( Memphis 3/25/2010) Shelby County District Attorney, and gubernatorial candidate Bill Gibbons is expected to drop out of the race for governor on Friday, March 26th.
According to a statement from his campaign this afternoon, Gibbons, who has been seeking the Republican nomination, will hold two news conferences to offer a significant update on the status of his campaign.
The first, in Nashville, at 10:30am. The second, in Memphis, at 4:00pm.
When Gibbons announced his candidacy, he did it first in Nashville, then in Memphis.
Sources close to the Tennessee Republican Party say the Gibbons campaign has been in financial trouble.
They reportedly are down to about 45 days worth of cash. A source says "Â…his rundraising opportunities have pretty much dried up."
Gibbons has been outspent by all his opponents so far.
While his press secretary, Bonny Kinney, refuses to confirm or deny that Gibbons will drop out, several well placed sources in the Tennessee Republican Party are saying he's out.
