Republican Raul Ruiz drops planned 2020 challenge to Democratic congressman with same name

The race to represent California’s 36th District in the U.S. House of Representatives just became much less confusing: Republican challenger Raul Ruiz announced Wednesday he was dropping his challenge against Raul Ruiz, the incumbent Democratic congressman with the same name.

“It is with sincere heartfelt sentiment that I announce my inability to continue moving forward in our campaign,” Ruiz, a carpenter from Perris, wrote on Facebook. “I appreciate the assistance, the confidence that was shared by you all, and also the confidence of our Party to have considered me as a viable candidate.”

The 57-year-old Republican said he had to withdraw after suffering two heart attacks in the past month and recently losing his brother, David Ruiz.

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