Libertarian candidate Kyle Adams of Swain won't be challenging state Rep. David Branscum, R-Marshall, in the 2016 election.
In a letter sent to the Arkansas secretary of state's office and released Monday, Adams said he would like to withdraw from the state House District 83 race.
He filed to run for the seat on Nov. 6, and the letter the office received from Adams was postmarked Nov. 10, according to the secretary of state's office.
District 83 includes Newton County and parts of Boone, Carroll, Pope and Searcy counties. Branscum has served in the House district since 2011.
Adams said in an interview he withdrew because he isn't ready to run a campaign at this point.
"I am 24 years old and am trying to build up more of a background before starting running [for elected office]," he said.
Adams said he's on Social Security Disability and unemployed.
The secretary of state's office requires candidates to send a letter to withdraw from the race "hopefully before candidates are certified for the ballot, which was the case here," said Chris Powell, a spokesman for Secretary of State Mark Martin. Nov. 30 is the deadline to certify candidates for the ballot, he said.
Branscum declined Monday to comment about Adams' withdrawal from the race. Branscum, 56, owns a family sawmill and is a cattleman.
Adams' withdrawal increases the number of House Republicans who are unopposed in the 2016 election, from 39 to 40 in the 100-member House. Eighteen House Democrats are unopposed in the election. The House currently includes 64 Republicans, 35 Democrats and an independent.
Metro on 11/17/2015