After collecting some 6,752 signatures to run as an independent candidate for Georgia senate District 23, Chuck Pardue announced today he was withdrawing from the race.

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Independent Candidate Chuck Pardue said he won't seek a state Senate seat

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Pardue cited family reasons for his need to leave the race, which leaves Republican qualifier Jesse Stone with no opposition on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Pardue spokesman Gunner Hall said the condition of Pardue’s son John, who was recently injured in Afghanistan, had worsened Monday and required the support of his entire family.

Working as a combat medic in Afghanistan, John Pardue aggravated a leg injury he’d suffered during air assault school and was forced to return to the United States for surgery earlier this month.

After treating his mortally wounded former roommate and others near Kandahar, Afghanistan, the younger Pardue also was diagnosed with moderately severe to severe post-traumatic stress disorder, according to previous reports.

Raised in Martinez, John Pardue married his girlfriend in March but said the couple intended to have a church wedding next year in Nashville.

A Vietnam veteran, Chuck Pardue worked as a judge advocate general before retiring into the private practice of law.

The Democratic party tried to substitute Pardue’s name for that of Leon Garvin, who qualified to seek Sen. J.B. Powell’s senate seat after Powell withdrew to run for commissioner of agriculture, after Garvin realized he did not reside in District 23.

When it was deemed too late, Pardue said he'd run as an independent instead.

Powell gave his support to Pardue, as did the Georgia Democratic Party.

"I want to thank every volunteer who helped to get me on the ballot. I also would like to thank Jane Kidd and

the Democratic Party of Georgia along with the local county parties throughout the district who volunteered their time," Pardue said.

Among those who helped Pardue collect signatures included paid and unpaid volunteers.

"I wish them luck with the upcoming election, but due to unforeseen family matters I must respectfully bow out of this race," Pardue said.
Richmond County had verified approximately 390 signatures collected for Pardue here and returned them to the secretary of state’s office, but not all seven counties from across the rural district had.
Pardue needed 3,961 verified signatures to get on the Nov. 2 ballot, and Hall said he believed Pardue did have enough to run.
"We went in there with such a huge buffer, there’s no way that he did not get enough signatures," Hall said.

Contact Susan McCord at (706) 823-3215 or susan.mccord@augustachronicle.com.