Dill withdraws name from GOP ballot

By Staff
Jason Cannon
Charles R Dill has withdrawn his name as a candidate for the Franklin County Commissioner, District 2.
Dill, who was running unopposed in the Republican primary, is a county employee. State election laws prohibit county employees to seek county offices unless they take a leave of absence to tend to their elected responsibilities.
"Due to a conflict of interest with (my) current job position, I will have to withdraw my candidacy for commissioner," Dill said. "At this time I am unable to take a leave of absence, which would be required to continue my quest for election."
The Franklin County Republican Executive Committee will have the responsibility to select another candidate for the November general election.
"Charles Dill has been a good county employee, but is a victim of the Alabama Election Laws," county Republican chairman Jerry Fancher said.
The law is an effort to keep city and county employees from drawing two paychecks from the same entity, commonly called "double dipping."
Double dipping has garnered statewide attention this legislative session as lawmakers tried to pass a bill that would protect the practice of simultaneously serving in the Alabama Legislature and holding taxpayer-funded jobs. The bill is unlikely to pass this legislative session.
"Do you see the irony in that they have allowed a law that prevents a county employee from running for office without taking an unpaid leave of absence," Fancher said.