Gordon Conger withdrew Thursday afternoon from the position No. 2 race for Allen County commissioner, leaving first-term incumbent Rob Francis and Tom Williams, who is completing his second four-year term as sheriff.
All three are Republicans. If no others file — the deadline is noon Friday — Francis and Williams will square off in the Aug. 7 primary.
Conger told the Register Friday morning his love of travel would make him unavailable for many of the responsibilities of serving as county commissioner.
“It wouldn’t be fair to taxpayers or me to be a commissioner and be gone part of the time,” he said.
Also, at 77, he said his energy level, “isn’t what it used to be.”
Commissioners have problems to solve, Conger observed, including two ambulance services. “There are a lot of concerns out there,” among citizens, he said.
Position No. 2 contains Iola Ward 3, Gas, LaHarpe, Mildred and Carlyle, Deer, Elm, Geneva, North Iola and Osage townships.
Republicans Jim Talkington and Don Bauer are candidates for position No. 3, which contains Iola wards 1, 2 and 3, Bassett and South Iola Township.
