Joe Wilkinson Ends Re-Election Bid, Alleges "Plot" To Torpedo Campaign

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SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- Nearly two weeks after a surprise move by a former Sandy Springs City Council member to challenge incumbent Joe Wilkinson to the Georgia House District 52 seat, the longtime legislator has pulled out of the race.

State Rep. Joe Wilkinson has withdrawn his bid to run for another two-year term, according to a press release issued late Wednesday.

“I have been honored to represent the people of Sandy Springs for the past 16 years," he said in a statement. "Among my many accomplishments, I have been most proud in helping create the city of Sandy Springs and nurture its growth. That is why recent ugly political developments in our community have been so painful. Sandy Springs was created to bring open, responsive, and ethical government closer to the people. Nevertheless, we must always be on the lookout for those who would view our political offices not as belonging to the people who elect us, but as private perks to be doled out to the privileged few. Regrettably, we have seen this attitude begin to play out in recent days.”

In his announcement, Wilkinson threw his hat behind attorney and Republican candidate Deborah Silcox. Silcox will face off against former Sandy Springs City Council member Graham McDonald.

Diagnosed two years ago with prostate cancer, Wilkinson said in a statement that he never missed a day at the General Assembly, despite undergoing "aggressive treatment."

When he completed that treatment, Wilkinson said he was advised to take it easy, and he began to discuss with local citizens the most efficient way he could transition out of the public spotlight. He said he decided to serve one last term and "work on a two-year transition."

While Wilkinson stops short of naming names, he contends the supporters of McDonald were not satisfied with his path he'd chosen to take.

"Unfortunately, this was not good enough for some in our city,” Wilkinson continued. “They saw this as an opportunity to circumvent the electoral process by urging me to qualify to run again and then withdraw at the last minute and allow their candidate of choice to step into office unopposed. I flatly rejected this proposal. Yet they went ahead with their plot and, at the last minute, qualified their chosen candidate, McDonald. Their intention was to then pressure me to step aside with false claims that I have not been focusing on the needs of Sandy Springs."

That's not exactly how it went down, according to Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul.

Paul said he's had several conversations with Wilkinson over the past two years about "the importance of being in and involved with Sandy Springs if he planned to continue represent[ing] this area."

When he said Wilkinson "ignored" that suggestion, Paul said he encouraged the state representative to retire so "he could go out on his own terms."

"I have supported him in every election for 16 years and there was no grand plot, as he alleges," he said. "He knew well in advance that I planned to support Councilman McDonald if he chose to run. So, there was no blindsiding as he also alleged. I am sad on a personal level that it has reached this point...As a friend I tried to be frank and candid about my concerns in (the) hopes he out go out to the appreciation and universal thanks from the community that he deserves. I am very sad it has reached this point."

Wilkinson, who notes there are other ways to engage in public service, added he's "honored and gratified" that he was asked by Gov. Nathan Deal to serve on Technical College System of Georgia's board when his term ends.

Wilkinson ended his statement with praise for Silcox, adding she's a civic leader that he's grown to respect.

“So now, fortunately thanks to Deborah’s actions, I can withdraw from the race and actively support someone to represent the values we sought to promote when we created Sandy Springs," he said. "I wholeheartedly endorse Deborah Silcox to replace me in the Georgia House of Representatives and ask my friends in House District 52 to vote for her on May 24.”

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Image via state of Georgia