Davis concedes primary to Roe

Rep. David Davis (R-Tenn.) has opted against challenging the result of his primary loss last week and on Friday conceded to Johnson City Mayor Phil Roe.

Davis, who is in his first term, fell to Roe by fewer than 500 votes out of more than 50,000 cast on Aug. 7. Since then, he has refused to concede, alleging that the GOP primary was hijacked by Democratic voters.

{mosads}He wasn’t backing down from that assertion Friday, but said he had determined it would be best if he stepped aside.

“I am announcing today that even though I have the law on my side, I have decided not to pursue an election contest with the Republican Primary Board,” Davis said. “I love East Tennessee and I love America, therefore it is in the best interest of everyone concerned that I concede the election to my primary opponent. I have contacted Mr. Roe and made him aware of my decision.”

Election law experts said Davis faced a very tough legal battle if he wanted to challenge the result. He would have had to prove that nearly 500 voters haven’t been loyal Republicans and didn’t say that they intended to be loyal to the party in the future.

Roe is a heavy favorite to join Congress in November, running in Davis’s conservative district.