VIDALIA, La. — Hubert Lee McGlothin quit the Ferriday mayor’s race Tuesday, just minutes before his qualifications for running were to be tested in court.

In November 1990 Hubert Lee McGlothin, a former Concordia sheriff and Ferriday mayor, was convicted of fraud. Louisiana law states that a person who has been convicted of a felony, has exhausted his appeals and has not been pardoned cannot run for office until 15 years after serving his time.

On those grounds, Ferriday voter Arthur Johnson filed suit Friday against McGlothin, challenging his qualifications to run for mayor. That case was to be heard at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Seventh Judicial District Court by retired Judge Alfred A. Mansour of Alexandria, La.

But before 9 a.m., McGlothin went to the Concordia Parish Clerk of Court’s Office to sign papers to withdraw from the race. &uot;I couldn’t do that to my wife and children,&uot;&160;said McGlothin, who had no further comment.

McGlothin’s withdrawal leaves five to compete in the March 14 primary: ex-mayor Glen McGlothin, Police Juror Gene Allen, School Board member Johnnie Brown, the Rev. Justin Conner and Ferriday resident Alex Promise.

Glen McGlothin said he was shocked to hear of his uncle’s withdrawal from the race.

&uot;I didn’t know anything about it,&uot; Glen McGlothin said. &uot;When got (to the courthouse) this morning, that’s when I found out about it.&uot;

Hubert Lee McGlothin served as Ferriday’s mayor from 1976 to 1984.