By Billy Davis

Mona Pittman, a candidate for the Mississippi state senate, withdrew Monday from the race, a Democratic official said Tuesday.

Travis Brock, executive director of the Mississippi Democratic Party, confirmed that Pittman pulled out of the three-way primary race. 

Pittman, a Batesville attorney, was a longtime resident here before moving to Oxford.

Panola Circuit Clerk Joe Reid told The Panolian Tuesday that Pittman’s name was not included on the ballot for the August 2 primary.

Pittman’s departure leaves two Democrats, Steve Hale and Michael Cathey, to compete in the primary. The winner will face Republican Vann Branch in November.