OPINION — The explanation that Allen Skillicorn gave the Times Independent for withdrawing from the county constable race doesn't reflect the timeline of what actually happened. The sequence of events tells a different story.
Although two challenges were filed against his signatures, he claimed his withdrawal was caused by “lawfare” from his primary opponent, Dan Diaz. In fact, the Diaz challenge had not yet been heard in Superior Court when Skillicorn chose to step aside.
Instead, the decision followed the first case heard on April 7-8, brought by local resident Jesse James. That challenge questioned 366 signatures, and the county later determined that 325 were invalid – many signatures coming from individuals registered outside the district. This left Skillicorn more than 200 signatures short of the 1,459 required.
