Former New Hampshire state Speaker Bill O’Brien, a Republican, has ruled out a challenge to Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., according to WMUR.

Some Granite State Republican operatives welcomed O’Brien’s decision given another potential candidate, former state Sen. Gary Lambert, is eyeing the race. These Republicans argue the party might avoid a competitive GOP primary this way.

Lambert, a veteran of the Marines, is set to make a decision on whether he will run after Labor Day.

Kuster defeated former Rep. Charlie Bass by about 17,000 votes in 2012. Early this cycle, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee put her on their Frontline program for incumbent retention. The race is currently rated Lean Democrat by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.