Griffith withdraws from county judge race

STARRVILLE — Retired appellate judge Sam Griffith has withdrawn from the race for Smith County judge, leaving Pct. 1 Commissioner Neal Franklin unopposed in the GOP Primary. According to county GOP Chairman David Stein, Griffith dropped out of the race the day after he announced his candidacy. He added that Griffith said he realized that it wasn’t the right situation for him. Griffith himself told our news partner KETK, “I simply decided I’d rather edit my third book of devotionals and finish my fourth book than campaigning.” Current County Judge Nathaniel Moran plans to run for Rep. Louie Gohmert’s open seat in Congress. Gohmert is challenging Attorney General Ken Paxton.