Nation IN BRIEF : ALABAMA : Candidate Ends Bid Over Slavery Issue

Alabama state Sen. Charles Davidson dropped out of the Republican congressional race amid criticism over his defense of slavery in the Old South. Davidson denied any racial motivation in an apology announcing the end of his campaign for the U.S. House. Several prominent Republicans had called on Davidson to drop out of the race for Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, as did U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill, the Democratic incumbent who is retiring from that seat. Davidson’s withdrawal leaves five candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the June 4 primary.