The announcement came a day after the county board of elections validated the signatures he gathered for a petition which would allow him to run as an unaffiliated candidate in the November 6 election. The next step was for the state to validate the signatures.

In an interview Tuesday, Silver said he had not made up his mind whether he was going to pay a filing fee, part of the steps necessary to become an official contender.

In the statement on the Jimmie Silver for Halifax County Sheriff 2018 Facebook page, Silver said, “A few weeks ago I made the decision to reevaluate my campaign for Sheriff. At this time for various reasons I do not plan on continuing my run for Sheriff. I do intend on continuing my work to improve our communities. I wanted this information to come from me not a bias social or news outlet. I would like to thank God, my family and my friends for your support during my years of service.”

Incumbent Sheriff Wes Tripp, who beat challenger Tyree Davis in the May 8 primary said, “I wish my friend Jimmie Silver well and continued God’s blessings  to him and his family.”

Tripp said he was also appreciative of his supporters in the primary. “I’ve been serving the citizens of Halifax County 34 years come July 1. I’m very thankful to my supporters who voted for me to allow me four more years.”

He also mentioned Davis. “Blessings to my dear friend, Tyree Davis, and his family.”

Asked whether Silver’s announcement not to run would change his campaign strategies for the November election, Tripp said, “When you run for political office you have to treat every day as election day. You try to do your best to serve the people fairly and to serve them well and it has always been our focal point to benefit our future, the children of Halifax County.”