Richard and Carol Lyman release statement after exiting Utah gubernatorial race

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Richard and Carol Lyman have released a statement after dropping out of the Utah gubernatorial race.

The statement was released by their lawyer on Friday after they withdrew from the race.

“It is with deep sadness that we withdraw our names from the ballot as candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of the great state of Utah. Even before we filed our candidacy, there was already a plan to throw us out of the race. This plan culminated in a frivolous lawsuit that we simply cannot afford to fight. The allegations in this lawsuit are false and we want to make it abundantly clear that we have done nothing wrong or broken any laws. We have every right to run for governor and lieutenant governor and should not have been driven out by people with deeper pockets.”

The released statement also said Carol Lyman broke her femur “days after knee surgery on the same leg,” making the election campaign difficult for the couple.

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Richard Lyman said he wants to focus on homelessness, addiction and mental health and hopes to be there for Utahns struggling with these issues.

The couple dropped out of the race on Thursday after Phil Lyman, another candidate for Utah governor, filed a lawsuit against them, claiming the Cox campaign paid them to run.

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