After spending $314,000 on attack ads against the only Republican in the May 22 special House election, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced Monday that its checkbook is closed until fall.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Crider said in a statement saying that the DCCC “will save the resources we would have invested in the Hawaii special election this month for the general election in November.”

The move shows the party believes there is no way to retain the seat vacated by Neil Abercrombie (D), who is running for governor.

The election is being conducted by mail, with ballots accepted until May 22.

Splitting the Democratic vote are state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and former Rep. Ed Case. Recent polling showed Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou (R) in the lead.

About 90,000 ballots have been turned in out of just over 317,000 that were mailed to registered voters, according to Hawaii elections office spokesman Rex Quidilla.