Sheriff Babeu Abandons Race for Arizona Congressional Seat

El comisario del condado de Pinal, Paul Babeu, habla durante una conferencia de prensa, el sábado 18 de febrero de 2012 en Florence, Arizona. Babeu, un comisario que aspira a la candidatura republicana a un escaño en la legislatura de Arizona, tuvo que reconocer que es gay, y renunciar al comité del aspirante presidencial Mitt Romney en ese estado, en medio de denuncias de amenazas formuladas por un hombre con quien tuvo una relación sentimental. (AP foto/The Arizona Republic, Deirdre Hamill) MARICOPA COUNTY OUT; MAGS OUT; NO SALES (Copyrighted)

A conservative Arizona sheriff who announced he is gay after his Latino ex-boyfriend accused him of abusing his power announced Friday he will abandon his bid for a congressional seat.

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said that he is dropping out of Arizona's 4th Congressional District race and will instead seek re-election as sheriff of the county in the southern part of the state.

The Republican lawman is known for his stance on illegal immigration and border security. His image took a beating in February when a former boyfriend who is a Mexican immigrant claimed the sheriff threatened him with deportation if he disclosed their relationship.

It led to Babeu disclosing he is gay and stepping down as co-chairman for Mitt Romney's Arizona campaign. His fundraising also dropped off after the disclosure.

In the announcement ending his congressional run, Babeu said he wants to seek re-election as sheriff instead because his chief deputy cannot run for the office. Babeu cited an earlier promise to constituents that he would maintain a continuity of leadership.

Babeu, whose statement did not mention the February disclosure, did not immediately return calls for comment.

Besides Babeu, three other Republicans are running for sheriff in Pinal County, an area between

Phoenix and Tucson with a growing population, as well as two Democrats and an independent, the Arizona Republic reported. Remaining candidates in the Republican-leaning race include first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar and Republican state Sen. Ron Gould.

Gosar said Babeu's decision "was the right one for him personally and the people in the district," while Gould said it "was proper under current circumstances."

Gould's campaign was largely self-funded but he recently received a fundraising boost when he was endorsed by the conservative Club for Growth's political action committee.

Gosar, of Flagstaff, decided to run in the 4th Congressional District after the 1st Congressional District became more competitive after redistricting. The 4th District includes most of northwestern Arizona, including Mohave and Yavapai counties.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino