Former state Rep. Steve Braun has suspended his campaign for the 5th Congressional District race for health reasons.

The Republican and brother of freshman U.S. Sen. Mike Braun said "an issue was identified" during an annual checkup that required him to stop campaigning for the seat up for election next year.

He did not specify whether he will eventually return to the campaign trail, or what the health issue was.

"Families across the country face unexpected circumstances every day, but this challenge just happened to confront me and my family as we were launching a campaign for Congress," Braun said in a statement Monday morning. "Nevertheless, my health and family are my priorities, and they will be my focus in the months ahead."

More:With Indiana's Susan Brooks bowing out, Hoosiers prepare for tight race in the 5th District

Braun officially entered the race for U.S. Rep. Susan Brooks' seat about a month and a half ago, after the Republican announced she was retiring from Congress to spend more time with family.

The 5th District stretches from the northern portion of Indianapolis to the city of Marion, and includes all of Hamilton County.

Previously, Braun ran for Congress in the 4th Congressional District in 2018, losing to now-Rep. Jim Baird after a contentious and pricey Republican primary.

Braun, 59, also served two terms in the Indiana House of Representatives, representing portions of Boone and Hamilton counties, and served as the Indiana Workforce Development commissioner in 2015.

"I am both frustrated and disappointed to have to suspend my campaign at this critical juncture," Braun said. "Now more than ever, we need to send individuals to Washington who have the capability, the experience and the willingness to address the problems we face."

The same day Braun announced his campaign was being suspended, another Republican jumped into the race: Kent Abernathy, a veteran and former commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Four other Republicans have also filed for the seat: Indiana Treasurer Kelly Mitchell; Chuck Dietzen, the former chief of pediatric rehabilitation medicine at Riley Hospital for Children; Micah Beckwith, a student worship pastor at Northview Church in Carmel; and Danny Niederberger, a fund accountant at Concise Capital Management.

Christina Hale, John Gregg's former gubernatorial running mate; Dee Thornton, a corporate consultant from Carmel who lost to Brooks in 2018; Jennifer Christie, who ran in the 2018 primary; and Andrew James Jacobs Jr. have filed to run as Democrats.

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at 317-432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.