Topeka ? Jeremy Pierce, who filed to run in the Republican Party primary for state Senate District 2, said Thursday that he is stopping his campaign.

Pierce, of Lawrence, said he is backing the other Republican, Ronald Ellis, of Meriden, in the race. The primary is Aug. 7, and the winner will face state Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, in the November general election.

“I can tell for this moment, Ronald Ellis is a better candidate for the office. I look forward to campaigning again in the future, and to serving Kansas, but for now I wish to help my Republican colleague any way I can,” Pierce said in an email.

Pierce’s name will still be on the ballot. A candidate cannot remove his or her name from the ballot after the candidacy filing deadline, said Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew