Rabbi Barr drops out of House race against Rep. Steve Chabot to make way for Aftab Pureval

WASHINGTON--Robert Barr, the Democratic newcomer and rabbi who launched an uphill battle to oust GOP Rep. Steve Chabot, said Tuesday he was dropping his campaign to make way for Aftab Pureval.

Pureval, the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, announced his bid last week. He could have faced a nettlesome Democratic primary against Barr, who had raised a significant amount of money in his short-lived campaign.

But Barr said he would clear the path so Pureval could train his fire on Chabot.

"My decision to step out is to help ensure Steve Chabot is defeated," Barr said in an announcement Tuesday morning. "Aftab needs the time, energy and resources to focus on unseating Mr. Chabot, rather than planning for a primary.”

He praised Pureval as someone who "has a proven track record of unseating a long-standing Republican incumbent, and he is committed to representing the voters of Southwest Ohio in a manner focused on many of our shared concerns.”

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