Republican drops out of governor's contest

Montana Legislature photo(BILLINGS)- Just three months after launching his campaign, Republican Jeff Essmann is dropping out of the race to be Montana's next governor. 

Essmann, a State Senator from Billings made headlines as Senate Majority leader when he helped lead the charge overturning Montana's medical marijuana laws, also working on other conservative issues like tax reform.

But his gubernatorial campaign hadn't gained much steam since last fall, keeping him stuck in the crowded pack of candidates running for the GOP nomination.

KXLH TV reports Essmann released a letter to supporters saying he intends to work now on recruiting other conservative Republicans to run for office across the state. 

Essmann's withdrawal still leaves 8-Republicans in the running to replace Governor Brian Schweitzer.