JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Republican Missouri state Sen. Dan Brown is dropping out of the race for state treasurer.
Brown said in a statement Thursday he’s endorsing fellow Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt, who now faces no primary challenger.

Brown says it’s important for Republicans to win in November.

Brown, of Rolla, was a surprise candidate who entered the running on the first day of candidate filing in February.
Democrats Judy Baker and Pat Contreras also are running for the seat. Baker is a former state lawmaker from Columbia. Contreras is from Kansas City and says he worked for the U.S. Department of State.

Current Democratic state Treasurer Clint Zweifel can’t run for re-election because he’s reached his term limit.

The primary is Aug. 2 and the general election is Nov. 8.