San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom dropped out of the California governor’s race Friday evening, saying he was not able to commit the time need to run a competitive campaign.

His withdrawal clears the field for state Attorney General and former Gov. Jerry Brown, who already had a strong lead over Newsom in the latest polls.

The young mayor had struggled to gain traction against Brown early on, despite the celebrity he gained from his high profile role in the gay marriage fight — allowing marriages to take place in San Francisco in a challenge to state law. Newsom has also lagged Brown in fundraising.