John Grimes announced last week his intention to withdraw from the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board of Education race.

He submitted an email to the Halifax County Board of Elections Office on October 8 stating, “I chose to enter the election for the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District School Board because the district was in need of leadership and the filing was incomplete. As we now have three qualified other candidates who have volunteered to serve, I have decided it would be best to allow them to do so unopposed.”

In the email Grimes stated, “I feel confident the remaining candidates are capable of successfully moving our district forward. I would like to thank everyone who kindly offered their support.”

County Board of Elections Director Kristin Scott said Grimes' name will be on the ballot. If he collects enough votes to win in the November 3 election, he still has the option to accept the seat or decline, meaning the school board would have to appoint someone.

Grimes said this afternoon, “If I were to win, my mindset would be to vacate and the board can hand-choose who they want.”

As of the end of the filing period in July the RRGSD race looked like this: Mike Williams along with Joey Briggs, Grimes and Ed Liverman will be vying for three seats on the board. Incumbents Mike Salanik and Mary-Frances Fisher did not file for re-election.