WASHINGTON -- Passaic County Freeholder John Bartlett ended his quest for the Democratic nomination to take on endangered incumbent Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, announcing instead that he would run for re-election to the county board.

"This is a moment of opportunity for change in Washington, but it does not appear to be my moment to be the agent of that change," said Bartlett, who entered the race in July.

Another Democrat, Mikie Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and federal prosecutor, vacuumed up most of the money and endorsements in the contest for the Democratic nomination. She raised $744,014 through Sept. 30, compared to $260,041 for Bartlett.

Frelinghuysen, R-11th Dist., was rated last month as New Jersey's most endangered incumbent by the Cook Political Report. The Washington-based publication, which tracks congressional races, said the race now was a toss-up.

The House Appropriations Committee chairman, Frelinghuysen voted for the House Republican health care legislation that the Congressional Budget Office said would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 23 million after initially opposing the bill.

And he backed a budget resolution that made it easier for congressional Republicans to gut the federal deduction for state and local taxes, even though he opposed the legislation when it reached the House floor.

The progressive Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy said the House GOP measure made New Jersey one of only four states in the country with an overall tax increase.

Frelinghuysen raised $1.2 million through Sept. 30, compared with $588,320 in the same period two years ago.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.