One of the three Republican candidates who was vying for the 118th Assembly District seat has ended his campaign.

Philip Paige of St. Lawrence County announced this week on his Facebook page that he has ended his campaign for the position currently held by state Assemblyman Marc Butler of Newport, who has announced his retirement. The two Republican candidates who remain are Patrick Vincent of Cold Brook and Robert Smullen of Fulton County.

Paige says that although he’s ending his campaign, he remains “committed to candor and substance,” and he will be dedicated to assisting Vincent in his bid for the Republican nomination.

“To those who donated to my campaign--all real people--thank you!” Paige wrote in his Facebook post. “It was especially gratifying to receive so many donations from young people and first time political donors.”

Vincent and Smullen will face off in a Republican primary election on Sept. 13.

In the Nov. 6 general election for the 118th Assembly District seat, Democratic candidate Keith Rubino of Herkimer will also be on the ballot. Rubino announced Friday that he submitted his petitions and secured his spot on the Democratic Party line for the election. He says he needed 500 signatures and ended up with more than 750.

“Voters like that I am a regular guy and I will fight for them in Albany,” Rubino said, in part, in a news release. “I’ve heard time and time again that it’s time for younger people with new ideas to step up and be part of state government.”

The 118th Assembly District encompasses Fulton and Hamilton counties, along with parts of Herkimer, Oneida and St. Lawrence counties.