[url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/ndp-candidate-withdraws-race-back-liberal-bid-u... NDP candidate withdraws[/url]
LONDON, Ont. - The NDP candidate for the Ontario riding of Elgin-Middlesex-London has pulled out of the race for the May 2 federal election.
Ryan Dolby says he will support Liberal candidate Graham Warwick, in his effort to unseat Conservative Joe Preston.
Dolby told radio station AM980 he didn't want to split the vote.
He also ran for the NDP in 2008, finishing third with 9,135 votes. Preston was re-elected with 22,970 votes, while Liberal Suzanne Van Bommel was second with 11,169.
Warwick said he was surprised by the news and declined immediate comment.
Dolby says he did not discuss his decision with federal New Democrat officials.
"I think it's the best decision on behalf of my family, my community, and my country to do whatever I can to make sure there isn't a Conservative victory, especially in this riding," he said.
"I want to make sure we get a progressive MP - one that cares about improvements to Canada Pension Plan, improvements to employment insurance, believes in democracy instead of contempt, and believes in sustainable job creation instead of building more prisons."
"I know Graham Warwick has the same values that I do."