The slim Republican majority on the Shelby County Commission is in jeopardy this afternoon after incumbent Republican Bruce Thompson withdrew his bid for reelection.

The Memphis Flyer’s Jackson Baker has the details.

Thompson’s absence would leave District 5, considered a swing district, without a Republican candidate.

However:

[I]t would appear that a state law passed in the ’90s governing last-minute withdrawals would call for the re-opening of the filing deadline for a week — thereby allowing the local Republican Party to field another candidate.

Memphis lawyer John Ryder, who also ran in 2002, is said to be seriously considering another campaign.

Above, Jackson Baker and John Ryder appear together at a civic forum held last summer.