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GOP Hopeful Drops Out of Virginia Race for Governor

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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman is dropping out of the race for the Republican nomination for governor of Virginia.

Wittman's campaign manager made the announcement Thursday afternoon.

Wittman represents the 1st Congressional District, which runs from Hampton Roads into the Fredericksburg area and Prince William County. He says he believes he can "do the most good for Virginia" by staying in Congress.

His departure leaves Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, state Sen. Frank Wagner and former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie seeking their party's nomination.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam is the only Democratic candidate.

Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe cannot run again because Virginia governors are barred from serving consecutive terms.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.