Lippold ends bid for 2nd Congressional District

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CARSON CITY -- Retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold ended his bid for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District seat Thursday and said he won't consider running next year as an independent.

Lippold, 51, endorsed Republican candidate Mark Amodei.

"I am grateful and deeply moved by the level of support for my candidacy, but considering the unique circumstances of this election and for the good of the Republican Party in Nevada, I feel a sense of duty to step aside at this time," he said in a statement.

The state GOP central committee chose Amodei as its nominee for the Sept. 13 special election to fill the seat vacated when Republican Rep. Dean Heller was appointed to the Senate.

Amodei, a former state senator, will face Democratic state Treasurer Kate Marshall, Tim Fasano with the Independent American Party and independent candidate Helmuth Lehmann. The winner must run again in next year's regular election cycle to keep the seat.