The company behind the reality show reportedly threatened to 'take away bachelor cash and even stop Ben's wedding' if he didn't pull out of the race.
- Jul 23, 2016
AceShowbiz - Ben Higgins isn't going to have a career in politics after all. Shortly after it was confirmed that he's going to run for public office in Colorado, "The Bachelor" alum announced in a statement on Friday, July 22 that he'd dropped out of the race due to "unforseen circumstances."
"I regret that I must withdraw my candidacy," he said in the statement. "Despite my best efforts to pursue this opportunity in good faith, I recently received information that has made such a pursuit unworkable. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will not be able to move forward as a candidate."
"I find solace in knowing that our intentions and actions have been fair and sincere. I entered into this endeavor wanting to bring positive change to my community, and it is with that same spirit that I will move forward, albeit on a different path," he added.
Higgins didn't explain what kind of "unforseen circumstances" that ended his political career. But Denver journalist Joe St. George reported that Disney, the parent company of ABC that airs "The Bachelor", might be behind the whole thing.
In some tweets, St. George said that the company thought Higgin's foray into politics could harm the hit show's brand. They threatened to cause him troubles if he didn't pull out of the race. "Basically source close to @benhiggi says ABC was scared of having politics in franchise, would have cost him millions," St. George said. "Source close to Bachelor Ben campaign says ABC pushed Ben out of the race threatened to take away bachelor cash & even stop Ben's wedding."
Source close to Bachelor Ben campaign says ABC pushed Ben out of the race threatened to take away bachelor cash & even stop Ben's wedding
— Joe St. George (@JoeStGeorge) July 22, 2016
Higgins was registered as a Republican and was expected to represent Colorado's House District 4. He joined the race after small business owner William "Willie" B. Pinkston withdrew his candidacy earlier this month. A new website where people can support the 28-year-old Denver native was already set up before he announced his withdrawal.
Higgins is best known for being featured in season 20 of the hit ABC show "The Bachelor", which ended with his engagement to Lauren Bushnell. The pair are now preparing their wedding and working on their "Bachelor" spinoff, "Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After", that premieres in October 2016 on Freeform.
