PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Republican state representative says he’s ending his campaign for the U.S. Senate after the state GOP endorsed his opponent in the primary.
Rep. Bobby Nardolillo, of Coventry, said Thursday he’s withdrawing and supporting former Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Robert Flanders.
Flanders was endorsed by the state Republican Party on Wednesday.
He’s expected to face incumbent Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, who is seeking a third term.
Nardolillo said in a statement that it was challenging to raise enough money to effectively communicate his message. He said he didn’t want to help Whitehouse by challenging the endorsed Republican in the primary.
Flanders had been gathering endorsements from multiple town and city Republican committees.
He oversaw impoverished Central Falls through bankruptcy after being appointed the city’s receiver in 2011.
