Caruther Whitehorn has denied that she is withdrawing herRepublican candidacy for House District 53.

“I’m in the race. I have not withdrawn,” Whitehorn said in awritten statement to The DAILY LEADER. “Wishful whining of myRepublican opponent won’t get me out.”

Whitehorn will meet Richard “Ricky” Baker in the Republicanprimaries Aug. 5. The winner of the primary will advance to faceDemocratic incumbent Bobby Moak in the general election Nov. 4.

Questions about Whitehorn’s intent in the race came when shesubmitted a campaign finance termination notice to the Secretary ofState’s office dated May 17. The termination notice means that shemay no longer accept contributions nor spend money on her campaign,according to David Roberts with the state office.

Whitehorn’s campaign finance report filed in May showed she hadneither received nor spent any money in her bid for office sinceshe qualified in March.

Repeated attempts by The DAILY LEADER to contact Whitehorn sincethat time have not been successful, and Whitehorn has not returnedtelephone calls.

“Anytime my opponent says, even in a joking manner, he is forraising taxes, releasing prisoners from jails and closing schools,there is no way I could leave this race,” she said in herstatement. “It is no joke when criminals walk our streets. Mychildren’s education and where they go to school are no joke to meor other parents.”

Whitehorn was referring to opening comments made by Baker duringa campaign rally in Topeka earlier this month.

“I want to raise taxes, release prisoners and close theschools,” Baker joked in opening his “stump” speech. “Now if I wokeeveryone up, I want to tell you those are the exact opposites ofwhat I want.”

Whitehorn also said in the statement that the elderly neededhelp.

“When the elderly and working families have to decide whether tobuy groceries, pay for medications or make the tax payment on theirhome, it is hardly something to joke about,” she stated. “I’min.”

Whitehorn’s statement did not, however, address how she wouldrun a campaign with no financing or where she stood on other issuesof state and local importance.