WASHINGTON — In a surprise election twist, a candidate running for Congress is suspending her campaign as voters have already headed to the polls to cast their ballots in the May 14 Republican runoff.

Kelly Daughtry announced Thursday that she would no longer run to represent North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District. She endorsed her opponent, Brad Knott.

She said in a written statement that she wanted to be transparent and honest with her team, supporters and voters, and that an endorsement of Knott from former President Donald Trump made it impossible for her to win the runoff.

“Brad Knott will be the Republican nominee on May 14th,” Daughtry said, in a written statement. “I extend my congratulations to him and wish him well. Brad has my full endorsement, and I want him to know that I am here to support him, not to oppose him. It is time we bring the Republican Party together.”

Knott thanked Daughtry, in a written statement, for her endorsement and commended her for her willingness to unite the Republican Party.

“Now we can focus on addressing serious problems facing our country with smart conservative solutions, Knott said. “Whether that be the open border, runaway spending, intrusive regulations from Washington, etc. – the voters of District 13 want a conservative fight for them in Congress. I look forward to being just that.”

Daughtry’s announcement came after days of speculation that her campaign was on the fritz, which wasn’t helped by her lack of social media posts or events in the district.

Her decision would seemingly leave her opponent, Knott, as the winner. But it’s not that easy, since ballots have already been printed and cast.

“I don’t recall anything like this in modern American politics, much less modern North Carolina politics,” said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University. “Ballots have been printed, ballots have been cast and if she happens to get the most votes she will still be the winner despite what she says.”

But he added that Daughtry is sending a clear message to voters and they will likely take note.

...continued

©2024 McClatchy Washington Bureau. Visit at mcclatchydc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.