STATE REP. SHAKES UP RACE TO REPLACE BARRETT

State Rep. Michael Thompson (R-Anderson) has decided against running for Congress and is instead endorsing his State House colleague Rex Rice.

Thompson released a statement Thursday announcing that he has decided against seeking the Republican nomination for the 3rd District Congressional seat being vacated by Gresham Barrett.

“It has been said that politics is all about timing, and the more and more I thought about this the clearer the answer kept coming back to me; it just was not the right time for me and my family,” Thompson said. “Having a very strong Congressman in the 3rd District is still extremely important to me, while there are many capable candidates in this race, I felt it was important to find someone to get behind.”

Thompson cited experience in the Legislature and a person’s character as the two most important aspects to choosing whom to endorse in the heated primary.

“With those two qualifications in mind, I choose to support Rex Rice,” said Thompson. “I will be working actively in the next few months to get him elected, and in mid-September plan on co-hosting an event for him right here in Anderson County.”

Rice welcomed Thompson to his team, saying, “Over the years, Michael and I have worked together on the House floor for much needed conservative reform. I look forward to Michael playing an active role in the campaign and helping to spread our common sense, conservative message throughout the Third Congressional District.”

Thompson decision to stay out of the race and throw his support behind Rice could be pivotal in the GOP primary, as Anderson County constitutes a large portion of the vote.