A candidate in the race for Buchanan County Sheriff has withdrawn from the primary.

Pat Grove has withdrawn his name from the Republican ballot in the race for sheriff on the primary election in August.

“It just seemed like it was the right thing to do. I’m just loking forward to trying to save the taxpayers money and move my candidacy in a different direction and to alleviate headaches for everybody,” Grove said.

A civil complaint questioning Grove’s qualification at the time of filing was brought against him last week by the Current Undersheriff Bill Puett, also a candidate for the office.

“There is an issue of licensing,” Puett told us last week in an interview. ”You have to have a license when you file as a peace officer. Only a person with standing, meaning another candidate can bring that forward.”

Puett said it’s a legal issue.

“We’re asking the court to look at it and determine whether everybody is eligible to run for sheriff,” Puett said.

After meeting with his campaign team Grove decided that pulling out of the primary was the best way forward.

“I am going to file as an independent candidate which will allow me to be on the November general ballot,” Grove said.