OHIO, USA — J.R. Majewski, who was running to be the Republican candidate to face U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D, Toledo) in November, has suspended his campaign.
Majewski, of Port Clinton, made the announcement on social media on Saturday afternoon.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to receive so much support from my America First neighbors, powering me to a strong lead in this Republican primary,” said Majewski in his statement.
Majewski was also the Republican candidate for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District in 2022 when he lost to Kaptur.
The announcement came weeks after Majewski made headlines for a comment he made during a conservative podcast in February in which he compared arguing online to competing in the Special Olympics in an offensive way.
The Lucas County Republican Party voted to censure Majewski over the comments last week and Majewski later apologized for the comment on social media, saying he made a mistake and regretted what he said.
Despite the censure, Majewski vowed to stay in the race on a social media post on Wednesday.
Majewski did not offer a clear reason as to why he was dropping out of the race but did say “It is inevitable that the Deep State will do whatever it takes to fight against me. Even going so far as attacking my family and once again accusing me of stolen valor.”
In 2022, Kaptur’s campaign repeatedly accused Majewski of misrepresenting his military record.
Majewski also said he was not asked by former President Donald Trump to drop out of the race.
Majewski’s departure from the race leaves three candidate vying for the Republican nomination in the March 19 primary; former Defiance-area state representative Craig Riedel, former Napoleon mayor Steve Lankenau and State Rep. Derek Merrin (R, Monclova).
Election officials say Majewski's name will still appear on the ballot because it's too late to take it off.
If Majewski does receive the most votes, his withdrawal has made him ineligible to win.
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