"I have learned the job of Dawson County Commissioner needs 100 percent of me," he wrote. "At this time I am unable to dedicate that much of my time to this office. So I am officially withdrawing from the race."

Allen is not the first to drop from the District 3 race; former Sheriff Billy Carlisle was the first to announce his intentions to run for the seat after current District 3 Commissioner Jimmy Hamby announced in January that he would not be seeking a third term. 

Carlisle then announced he would not be running two days after retired fire marshal and emergency services Chief Tim Satterfield declared his intent to run for the same seat.

When qualifying for the May 22 primary election ended March 9, Satterfield and Allen were the only two qualified candidates. 

Dawson County Board of Elections Chair Glenda Ferguson confirmed today that Allen signed an official affidavit of withdrawal from the race on Thursday, just barely meeting the deadline for his name to be removed from the ballot before it was printed. 

Allen has lived in Dawson County for 30 years. He is a businessman and runs All Green Outdoor Center with his family. 

Satterfield is a 41-year fire service veteran and retired from Dawson County Emergency Services in December after nearly 13 years of service with the county.