Titus opponent exits race

Rob Lauer, a political outsider who emerged as a credible candidate in the Republican primary to challenge Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., announced Friday he would drop his campaign.

Lauer reported raising $125,000 for his primary campaign against former state Sen. Joe Heck, who so far has raised $191,800.

Titus has raised $1,070,126, with $311,902 coming in the fourth quarter. She has $729,344 cash on hand.

Lauer says he didn't want to engage Heck in a damaging primary battle that would leave the victor less prepared to campaign against Titus in the general election.

"We'd both end up broke and Dina Titus has $1 million in the bank," Lauer said.

Instead, Lauer said he will turn his attention toward a campaign for Nevada secretary of state, a job now held by Democrat Ross Miller.

Heck had campaigned for governor until former candidate John Guedry dropped out of the Republican primary for the Titus seat, prompting Heck to shift races.

Heck says he supports Lauer's decision to make a similar move.

"His desire to bring conservative principles to Nevada's secretary of state office should be commended," Heck said of Lauer.