Steve Hildebrand said Wednesday that instead of running against Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in the Democratic primary, he will help Rapid City physician Kevin Weiland (D) take on the popular incumbent.

Hildebrand, a South Dakota native and adviser on President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign team, distributed a statement saying Weiland has begun circulating petitions to get on the ballot. The filing deadline is March 30.

Hildebrand had publicly mulled a primary challenge to Herseth Sandlin, then pulled back after the health care bill passed despite Herseth Sandlin’s “no” vote.