Former state Rep. Mike Evans (R) is pulling out of the crowded Republican race to succeed Rep. Nathan Deal (R) in northern Georgia’s 9th district.

Evans, a former chairman of the state transportation board, said in a statement Wednesday evening that it was too difficult for him to campaign full-time and also provide for his family.

After “reassessing our financial position over the holidays,” Evans said he and his wife faced “the hard reality that campaigning full time for the next six to 10 months will cause irreparable financial harm to my family.”