Opponent Of Gun-Rights QAnon GOP Candidate Drops Out Of GA Race

GEORGIA — The Democratic Congressional candidate opposing Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican who’s drawn national attention for promoting QAnon conspiracy theories, dropped out of the race Friday afternoon.

“After lengthy discussions with my team, attorneys, party officials, and others, the answer was clear, stepping aside would be best for the voters,” Kevin Van Ausdal said in a post to social media Friday afternoon.

In a statement sent to news media and reported by The Rome News-Tribune, Van Ausdal said that he was “deeply saddened by the personal and family reasons” that ended his campaign.

“Although all the details will remain my family’s alone, please understand this was not an easy decision,” Van Ausdal said in the statement. “We are real people managing hard choices.”

Van Ausdal’s campaign manager confirmed to The Associated Press that he was leaving the race for “personal and family reasons.” Van Ausdal said in his statement that he would be leaving Georgia.

A spokesperson for Van Ausdal's campaign later told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the candidate had been served divorce papers on Wednesday, forcing him to leave his home.

With or without Van Ausdal running against her, Greene already was expected to win a U.S. House seat in Georgia’s reliably red 14th congressional district.

Greene’s support of QAnon theories and other controversial stands led establishment Republicans to condemn her. U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise told WSB-TV that Greene’s comments were “disgusting,” and Georgia Republican Rep. Jody Hice rescinded an endorsement after hearing what he called Greene’s “appalling statements."

A message from Kevin Van Ausdal pic.twitter.com/Y5LtVcpK2B
— Kevin Van Ausdal (D) (@KevinVanAusdal) September 11, 2020