Walt "Combat" Ward has dropped out of the state Senate race, leaving four Democrats seeking the 10th District post.
Bud Knowles, election administrator, said Mr. Ward did so in time so that his name will not appear on the ballot.
Mr. Ward said, "For the good of the party, yesterday I withdrew my name for consideration for the District 10 Senate race.
"The party is vulnerable at this point in time. Marion County is an uncertainty and the Republicans will surely attempt to gain this seat.
"Since I have issues with soliciting contributions and knowing that if by chance I did win the primary, I would be compelled to actively pursue contributions in order to keep the seat Democrat. There is also the uncertainty whether I can even raise enough money, so the honorable thing for me to do is withdraw and give the leading candidate a chance for a bigger win heading into the general election in November.
"This seat must remain in Democratic hands. This community has done exceptionally well with Democratic representation and will continue to do so if led by a Democrat senator."
Here are the remaining candidates:
Andy Berke
Ken Jordan
Lee Carl Whitaker
John Wolfe
Republican:
Mark Albertini
Oscar Brock
Oscar Brown
Travis Layne
Basil Marceaux
The 10th District includes all of Marion County and part of Hamilton County.
The primary will be Oct. 4 and the general election on Nov. 15.