District Two city councilman Frank Colvett Jr. has opted out of the 2023 race for Memphis mayor.
Also withdrawing by Thursday’s noon withdrawal deadline was broadcast executive/radiologist George Flinn, who had been a candidate for only one week.
Colvett gave his reasons as follows:
“My family and I have decided that we must come together as a city. The problems in Memphis are too big for us to work in silos. We must all come together and march in the same direction toward a prosperous and thriving Memphis for all Memphians.
“There are too many candidates and too many distractions at a time when we should all be working together.
“After much prayer and conversation with our family and advisors, we are suspending our campaign for mayor and will be speaking with the other candidates over the next few weeks to determine what is best for Memphis.”
Colvett, a Republican, had clearly not succeeded in enlarging on his electoral base. Though he released a poll just last week that proclaimed an optimistic outlook for his campaign, he decided in the end that he had very limited chances for success.
Colvett’s supporters will be seeking other options in the weeks to come, and many of them are thought to be considering Sheriff Floyd Bonner as an alternative candidate.