The Wichita Means Business Alliance, a group of small business owners, today endorsed two candidates for county commission and called on one of their opponents to withdraw from the race.

The group endorsed Tim Norton in District 2, and Marcey Gregory in District 3.

The group cited both candidates for their backgrounds running and managing successful businesses.

The group also called for Norton's opponent, Craig Gabel, to withdraw from the race citing unpaid taxes and "anger issues.". Spokesman Ray Fredrick said "he is not a qualified candidate."

Gabel responded saying that the voters will decide in November whether he's a qualified candidate. He admitted that he does owe back taxes, but that he is restrained from paying them due to a bankruptcy filing several years ago. He said he is working with the county treasurer to pay those taxes.

Gabel also said the group has accused him of being anti small business, in which he responded by saying he is a small business owner himself and has created six minority-owned small businesses.

The alliance said it supports low taxes and less regulation and candidates with solid business experience.