Another candidate out of race for Boehner seat

The seemingly huge field of candidates running to replace former Speaker of the House John Boehner in Ohio's 8th Congressional District continues to dwindle.

Businessman Eric Gurr, of Liberty Township, is the latest candidate to withdraw from the race. He said he is throwing his support behind Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds, the presumtive front-runner.

"A divisive fight is bad for Ohio and bad for the nation," Gurr said on Twitter.

The Enquirer reported in November about potential problems within the Butler County Republican Party. Some members felt the endorsement process was being manipulated to favor Reynolds, the likely establishment candidate.

West Chester Township Trustee Lee Wong pulled out of the race a few weeks ago as well, citing the huge amount of money needed to run for Congress. After considering a run, several high-profile candidates such as Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones and state Sen. Bill Coley also decided against running.

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Boehner resigned from Congress in October. The district, which includes Butler, Miami, Clark, Darke, Preble and parts of Mercer counties, is overwhelmingly Republican.

Other candidates still running include state Rep. Tim Derickson, state Sen. Bill Beagle, former Troy teacher J.D. Winteregg, Lakota Board of Education Member Todd Parnell and Great Oaks teacher Eric Haemmerle.