Miller drops out of CD-8 race

Brian Miller, a Republican candidate in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, suspended his campaign Aug. 12.

Miller’s name will remain on the ballot, but for all practical purposes the contest is now down to Republicans Jesse Kelly and Jonathan Paton.

In a statement, Miller, a major and senior pilot in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, said his campaign doesn’t have enough money to continue.

“My competitors have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on advertising, and it is impossible for me to make up that gap,” he said.

Miller’s decision to drop out is a boost to the Paton campaign; Miller is throwing his weight behind the former state legislator. 

“I believe the only candidate who can beat Gabrielle Giffords in November is Jonathan Paton,” Miller said.

Paton commended Miller for running an excellent and “principled grassroots campaign,” adding that the Air Force pilot had a great influence in the election debate this year. 

“Rarely have I encountered a candidate as knowledgeable of the issues and as principled and determined in his beliefs as Brian,” Paton said. “I have learned a great deal from him throughout this campaign, and he has made me a better candidate.”

The other Republican candidate in the race is businessman Jay Quick.

The winner of the Republican contest will face Giffords, the incumbent Democratic congresswoman, in November.