Ex-Trump campaign official withdraws nomination for ag post

WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Trump campaign official linked to the Russia investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller has withdrawn his nomination for an agriculture post.Sam Clovis, a former Trump campaign national co-chairman and chief policy adviser, wrote in a letter to President Donald Trump dated Thursday that he does "not want to be a distraction or a negative influence."Questions had been raised about his qualifications to serve as the Agriculture Department's chief scientist. Cl