One of the two Republican candidates for Lawrence County Clerk of Courts has decided to step aside.

Kenneth Wolfe formally withdrew from the race Wednesday by asking

Lawrence County Board of Elections officials to take his name off the March primary ballot.

"I did some soul-searching and didn't want to damage the party," Wolfe said. "It's a little sad, but it's like a ball game, you've got to put your best people on the field."

Wolfe said he will support fellow Republican John Smith is his bid against Democrat Bob Blankenship.

Wolfe filed to run for the county office in December, his first time seeking county-wide office. He is currently serving on the Chesapeake Village Council.

The deadline for filing to run in the March primary Jan. 2. Board of Elections Deputy Director Ella Lawless said candidates who want to opt out of a race may do so at any time before the election.

"It used to be they had a time limit to withdraw but that's changed," Lawless said. "Now they can go up to the day before the election."