David Lambert, CEO of Lambert Optical and son of the late state Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert III., also decided to withdraw his bid Saturday.

“I wouldn’t say (the nomination process) was a sham, but it wasn’t done in a way that was operable for anyone to get in it,” Lambert said Monday, adding that it was also not set up for the “people in the district to have a voice for who they want to pick.”

But Lambert said he has not changed his plans to run in the June 2015 primary.

Republicans and some Democrats — including Paul Goldman, Morrissey’s law partner and a former chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia — have criticized the nomination process, alleging it was designed to “shut out the public.”

Goldman had unsuccessfully worked on a last-minute lawsuit to stop the primary. He had also advised Morrissey not to seek the Democratic nomination. Morrissey is now considering a bid as an independent candidate.

Del. Gregory D. Habeeb, R-Salem, said in a phone interview Monday that by choosing to limit ballot access, Democrats have forfeited their right to accuse Republicans of doing the same.