One of the candidates for judge in the Butler County Court of Common Pleas has dropped out of the race.
Local attorney Tom Breth announced Wednesday he was suspending his campaign.
“From the start, it has always been my goal to run a positive, respectful campaign focused on the importance of good judges, my qualifications and the best interests of the residents of Butler County,” Breth said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the increasingly negative level of campaigning has eliminated my desire to further participate in the election process.”
Breth said he will return to practicing law full-time and he will return any donations made to his campaign.
“It is too difficult to stay positive and true to my values when common decency and mutual respect are removed from the process,” he said.
Four other candidates remain in the race for the judge seat. Local attorneys Matt Fischer, William “Wink” Robinson, Nicole Thurner and Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale.