The Democratic nominee for the seat of retiring Rep. Jerry Costello (D)  dropped out of the race suddenly on Tuesday, leaving the field for the competitive southern Illinois House seat in flux.

Citing health reasons, former St. Clair County Regional Superintendent of Schools Brad Harriman told reporters that “voters of Southern Illinois … deserve a candidate that can withstand the pace that this race will require.”

Harriman’s departure leaves Democrats searching for a nominee to face the GOP’s candidate, Jason Plummer, two months after the primary.

Local Democratic Party chairmen from the 12th district will select a replacement nominee in the coming weeks. Costello will reportedly head that selection committee.

Oddly, this isn’t the first time this cycle southern Illinois officials are in this position. Less than two weeks ago in a neighboring district, local Republican Party chairmen picked a new GOP nominee for the 13th district after Rep. Timothy Johnson dropped out of the race in April.