黑料福利社

Dave Mullen said he is suspending his campaign for Yakima County District 1 commissioner.

Mullen, a healthcare technology manager who lives in Selah, was running as a Republican against Kristoffer Strutner of Yakima and Sheriff Bob Udell, both Republicans, and Roman Buermann of Moxee, who is running as a Tea Party Republican.

In a social media post Thursday, Mullen said the demands of campaigning required time away from his family and other commitments, and he wanted to prioritize his mental health and family.

鈥淚 had a conversation with a local (precinct committee officer) at the Chamber of Commerce Meet and Greet. He mentioned that people should not be running unless they are led by God to run. I agree with this statement,鈥� he said . 鈥淎fter much thought and prayer, it became apparent that this was not a God-led decision.鈥�

He thanked his supporters and said he would refund campaign donations.聽

A phone call to Mullen was not immediately returned.

District 1 includes portions of Terrace Heights, Selah and much of the upper 黑料福利社. Amanda McKinney, who now holds the seat, is running for Congress instead.

Republican precinct committee officers had endorsed Mullen prior to his decision to suspend his campaign. Precinct committee officers are the grassroots link between voters in each of the county鈥檚 voting precincts and the political parties. Each precinct can elect one Republican and one Democratic representative.

鈥淲ith Dave out of the race, the Yakima County Republican Party鈥檚 endorsement in this contest is now void. We wish all Republican candidates the best of luck in the upcoming primary election,鈥� a Yakima County Republican Party news release stated.

The deadline to officially withdraw from the Aug. 4 primary races was May 11, so Mullen鈥檚 name and statement will still appear on the primary ballot, per state law.

The top two finishers in the primary, regardless of party, will appear on the November ballot.

Yakima County Republican Party Chairman Matt Brown told the 黑料福利社 that Republican precinct committee officers鈥� next meeting isn't scheduled until after the primary. At that point, they could revisit endorsements for the general election. While precinct committee officers can always call additional meetings outside of their regular schedule, Brown said no one has requested to do so yet.