Welker Withdraws From Race

Citing business demands, Republican Troy Welker on Saturday bowed out of the race for the newly created District 23 State House seat and endorsed former opponent Alan Shinall.

Welker only , which takes in a large portion of Canton as well as the city of Waleska, on Jan. 30.

“I entered this race because the other candidates at the time truly weren’t qualified to represent this seat and many still aren’t,” he said in a statement. “I have said since the beginning that we need a solid conservative with real world common sense business experience, and I was that guy.” 

But recent developments have forced him to invest more of his attention to his business, IPT Sink Company.

“I feel my ability to devote the time necessary to represent my district properly and effectively would be diminished,” he said. “That’s why I am announcing my withdrawal from the race.”

With Welker's announcement, the march to the July 31 Republican primary is now a three-way race between Shinall, , and Harold Welchel. Ballinger serves on the Canton Main Street Board Economic Development Committee. Shinall resigned as chair of the Cherokee County Board of Elections to enter the race. And Welchel is the owner and manager of .

Here is the text of Welker's statement:

Troy Welker Announces Withdrawal from State House District 23 Race and Endorses Alan Shinall.    
                
Business owner and candidate for State House, Troy Welker (R-Canton) officially announced today that he is withdrawing from the race for State House District 23. 
                 
Welker announced his intention to run for the new State House District in January. 
                 
“I entered this race because the other candidates at the time truly weren’t qualified to represent this seat and many still aren’t. I have said since the beginning that we need a solid conservative with real world common sense business experience, and I was that guy…” 
 
“Unfortunately my business has come under attack by the Obama administration in the form of a tariff, which will result in an additional tax of my products of 50-75%. As a result of this, my company will have to completely change our manufacturing model, and I have less than 60 days to do it. This new tax has been rushed in without my knowledge of it at the time of my announcement. This legislation from the abusive, anti-business Obama administration will require a great deal of my time over the coming months.  I feel my ability to devote the time necessary to represent my district properly and effectively would be diminished. That’s why I am announcing my withdrawal from the race,” said Welker.
 
After these recent events, I reached out to Alan Shinall and after learning about his extensive experience, I feel that he possesses the depth of experience needed and would serve our district well. This is a part time job in name only, and Alan is now retired and has the ability to focus full time on doing a great job for our area. This position was never about me personally but about what was best for our county and our state, and I know in my heart this is the best thing for all of us. I am doing everything I can to support Alan and what is truly neat about this is that Alan has agreed and retained my professional campaign team.” 
                 
“I am proud to endorse Alan Shinall. I believe he is now the only candidate in the race with the true real world business experience we need to deliver conservative reforms in Atlanta. Alan has a wealth of knowledge in business, and he understands how things work at the State Capitol. I am proud to endorse Mr. Shinall and look forward to working hard for his campaign,” continued Welker.
                 
“Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention how proud I am of the people who had stepped up to the plate and agreed to work in my campaign. I have had a tremendous outpouring of support. I wish to thank them personally. When you can pull together a group of individuals that I had to support you, it is hard to step down. I believe that you will find the majority of my team will step up and actively help and work with Alan. My inner team included guys like Jeff Duncan, John Marinko, Danny Dukes, Pete Costello, ConradQuagliaroli, David Ernst and Stan Wise.”