'Ranger Rick' Murillo withdraws Fayetteville council candidacy, Board of Elections confirms

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2 days ago

Enrique 'Ranger Rick' Murillo has filed his intention to withdraw from the Fayetteville City Council District 5 race days after the county elections board voted to allow him to stay on the ballot despite his failure to disclose a felony conviction on the filing paperwork, according to the Cumberland County Board of Elections.
Irene Grimes, a member of the county Board of Elections, said Aug. 14 that Murillo 'has withdrawn from the race. He filed his Notice of Withdrawal earlier today.'
On Aug. 12, the county BOE heard testimony from Murillo and Fayetteville resident Melene Hatcher, who challenged Murillo's candidacy because he did not disclose he'd been convicted of felony first-degree assault and battery in South Carolina in 2012. While the felony conviction would not have prevented Murillo from running for office, candidates are required to disclose such convictions.
After testimony from Hatcher and Murillo — who contends he was not convicted of a felony, despite South Carolina court records showing the conviction — the five members of the county BOE voted to allow him to remain on the ballot.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 'Ranger Rick' Murillo will no longer seek Fayetteville City Council
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