Republican candidate David Schwarz is suspending his campaign to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, in the House of Representatives.
“This was a very hard decision for me because I truly feel that given my background and perspective, I could make a real difference and be a strong voice fighting for the citizens of the 1st District of Georgia in Congress at this critical time in our national history,” Schwarz said Monday in a news release.
Schwarz, 38, served three years as an adviser to Kingston in Washington, D.C., and is a founder and managing partner of Pier Strategies. He announced his candidacy in May.
In suspending his bid, Schwarz cited strain on his family and said he did not feel comfortable asking for continued financial support from area families struggling in the economy.
“... Our campaign’s support is in so many ways rooted in deep relationships with other young families,” he said. “For these young families, and for people of all ages, the economy is still far from recovered in south Georgia, and we saw this firsthand as we traveled the district and visited with constituents and small business owners.”
Schwarz was running on a platform advocating “next generation conservative leadership.”
“For now, I will continue working to better the community in which I live and to advocate for innovative public policy positions and economic development initiatives through a multifaceted effort of grassroots and public policy work and other initiatives focusing on new ideas and growing jobs and the economy,” he said.
Schwarz had been running for the GOP nomination to replace Kingston, who is running for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss next year.
State Sen. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler; state Rep. Jeff Chapman, R-Brunswick; Savannah surgeon Bob Johnson and Alma resident Darwin Carter have also announced their candidacies to replace Kingston.