Will Rich Carson leave 18th race in protest?

Will he or won’t he?

After reading Columbian Editor Lou Brancaccio’s column Saturday, Rich Carson is considering withdrawing from the 18th Legislative District race.

The independent candidate says he fed up with the “horrible behavior” and dirty campaigning of those involved in the race, and he argues that the Republican party and The Columbian — by endorsing opponent Ann Rivers — are by their actions condoning the behavior.

Carson, who has raised $477 toward his campaign compared with Rivers’ $62,679, didn’t go so far as to actually withdraw from the race, however. He said everyone will have to wait until Thursday’s candidate forum to hear his decision.

He didn’t respond to talk about the situation over the phone, but he did submit this statement: “I have serious reservations about continuing my campaign. It is obvious that The Columbian is supporting Ann Rivers and her using a henchman named Kelly Hinton. I think that Ann Rivers should withdraw from the race and that The Columbian should withdraw their endorsement of her. Otherwise, it is an Independent running against The Columbian, out-of-state special interest money and a corrupt Republican party.”

So his opinion is clear. Whether it actually drives him to exit the race remains to be seen.

—Marissa Harshman