Staff Writer

A former county councilman whose status as a convicted felon prevents him from holding public office has dropped out of the Democratic primary.

James E. Kollock Jr. met with party officials this morning to announce his withdrawal from the race for the Democratic nomination for the District 5 seat on Union County Council. Kollock's decision came as the party's executive committee was reviewing the qualifications of the candidates who had filed to run in the primary.

Ellis Jenkins, chairman of the Union County Democratic Party, released the following statement:

“The Union County Democratic Party met to consider the qualifications of the candidates who had filed to run in the Democratic primary on June 10, 2008. After reviewing the information on each candidate, the committee released the following information:

Mr. James Kollock, who has filed as a candidate for County District 5, notified the UCDP that he was withdrawing his intention to file. The committee accepted his withdrawal and he will not be certified to appear as a candidate on the primary ballot.

All other candidates were approved and will be certified to appear on the ballot.”

Under the state constitution a convicted felon cannot hold public office until 15 years after the completion of their sentence including probation and parole. In Jan. 2001, Kollock pleaded guilty to reckless homicide, a felony under state law, for a Sept. 2000 automobile accident in which a woman was killed. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine suspended upon five years probation. The judge also ordered that Kollock's driver's license be suspended for five years and ordered him to pay restitution.

The accident occurred when Kollock's car struck a motorcycle from behind, injuring the driver and killing his female passenger. Kollock's lawyer, Loy Bryant of Spartanburg, said that his client had sleep apnea and fell asleep prior to the crash and woke only after impact had occurred.

Kollock's withdrawal means that incumbent councilman Randall “Chump” Hanvey is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Hanvey will face Republican Jack Farmer in the November general election.

Attempts to reach Kollock this morning were unsuccessful.