WILMINGTON, N.C. – One candidate for North Carolina Republican Party chairman has left the race and thrown his support behind a new candidate.

Former state senator and Wilmington attorney Woody White is withdrawing from the race and said he would support former Raleigh mayor Tom Fetzer.

White formally announced this bid about six weeks ago. His friend, David Benford, said Wednesday that White decided his family and professional life would be sacrificed too much if he won the job at the state GOP convention in June.

Fetzer told The News & Observer of Raleigh that if he won he would focus on the party’s conservative roots and improve fundraising efforts.

Other candidates include Wake County chairman David Robinson, former Guilford County chairman Marcus Kindley and former Lee County commissioner Chad Adams.