Mangin withdraws from 6th district congressional race

Jon Mangin, a candidate for North Carolina's 6th Congressional District, has withdrawn from the race. Incumbent Howard Coble, who is serving his 13th term in the seat, has been defending his seat against a handful of challengers, including Guilford County Commissioner Billy Yow, Moore County anesthesiologist Dr. James Taylor, Greensboro financial advisor Jeff Phillips and High Point businesswoman Cathy Brewer Hinson.

Mangin said in an e-mail that he is endorsing Taylor, and the two candidates plan to meet in Greensboro at 1 p.m. today. Mangin said his support for Taylor is based on the notion that "Dr. Taylor is the strongest of the challengers and best reflects of the candidates my own platform."

UPDATE: Mangin's plan to get out of the race has been in the works for some time.

"Previously we have had discussions about coming around a single challenger and I had taken the position that we should wait until the present week," Mangin says in an e-mail. "That week has come and he is the strongest and carries the best articulated message."

Considering that Taylor has been accused of attempting to pay off other candidates in exchange for withdrawing, I asked Mangin if he was receiving any money.

His response: "No, Dr. Taylor did not offer (nor did I request) any money or compensation. There is no quid pro quo."

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