Accusations that Selvain McQueen violated federal law regulating the political activity of federal employees and civil servants prompted him to withdraw from the Lowndes County sheriff”s race.
Though the Hatch Act Unit investigation was under way to clarify whether McQueen was in violation of the law, McQueen decided to withdraw rather than drag out the controversy.
“Regardless of whether I am in violation of the Hatch Act or not, I have decided that it would be in the best interest of the City and for me to withdraw from the race for Sheriff,” McQueen wrote in an affidavit submitted the the secretary of state”s office on Thursday. ”
Pamela Weaver, office of the Mississippi secretary of state communications director, confirmed via email Saturday that McQueen withdrew from the election.
McQueen, who was appointed interim police chief for the Columbus Police Department in July, also confirmed the news Saturday.
The Dispatch today obtained a copy of McQueen”s affidavit, where he states the interim position is a full-time job, and “the race for sheriff was difficult enough without the allegations of impropriety.”
McQueen defeated three other candidates with 54.8 percent of the vote to secure the Democratic nomination in the August primaries.
He was set to face Republican candidate Mike Arledge in the general election, which is set for Nov. 8.
Arledge stepped down from his post as justice court judge to run for sheriff and defeated Bo Harris during the Aug. 23 primary runoff.
The Lowndes County Democratic Executive Committee will meet today at 5:30 p.m. at the Lowndes County Courthouse and will discuss the November elections. Pending a determination by the state Board of Elections Commission, the party could nominate an alternate candidate to face Arledge in November.
Other candidates in the Democratic primary for sheriff were John Pevey, Anthony Nelson and Sherman Vaughn.
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