Gibbons withdraws from race.

[C. Richard Archie]

NASHVILLE, TN - Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney released the following statement after Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons announced he will be suspending his campaign for governor:

"I would like to commend Bill Gibbons," said Devaney. "Since announcing his candidacy, Bill has enriched the debate on a number of important issues such as revitalizing our troubled economy, improving our schools, and working to make our state a safer place for Tennessee families.

"From a young age Bill has worked to advance the principles of the Republican Party and given many years of his life to public service in Tennessee. His life story is an inspiration to every Tennessean and I'm extremely proud to have him as a member of our Party. I'd like to wish Bill and his wife Julia all the best for a happy and healthy future as he returns home to West Tennessee."

[johnharris]

Good move. To low a probability to keep draining resources.

[C. Richard Archie]

I met and spoke personally with Bill a couple of different times. I think he was principled and well meaning, even though we did not share the same view of Second Amendment Rights. His younger personal life giving him certain views that differed from mine, I did understand how he arrived at them. I do not think he was inherently anti-gun, however, his reactions to those life experiences, and how he chose to view Article 1, Section 26 of the Tennessee Declaration of Rights were at odds with my own.

He was at least honest about those opinions, and did not speak one way and act another, for that he has my respect.

[johnharris]

I have dealt with him and I think the danger from a 2nd Amendment perspective would have come from his duties as district attorney in Shelby county. Too much of an attitude to constrain rights whenever convenient to increase convictions.