Rep. Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) announced he was abandoning his re-election bid hours after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) rescinded his endorsement of the four-term lawmaker for comments Miller made to the Houston Chronicle’s Andrea Zelinski that his primary opponents were running because they were “Asian.”

In a statement, Miller said he did not want to be “a distraction for my party or my constituents.” He has until Tuesday to withdraw formally in order for his name to be left off the ballot.

Three other Republicans – Sugar Land management analyst Leonard Chan, former Fort Bend Co. Republican chair Jacey Jetton and Richmond adjustor Matt Morgan – have previously filed for the race. Following Miller’s departure from the race, Comptroller Glenn Hegar (R) endorsed Jetton.

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