Political strategist Ben Golnik has dropped out of the race to be Minnesota's Republican National Committeeman, leaving former gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson in contention.

A vote on the two will come April 16 at the state GOP State Central Committee meeting, says MPR.

Golnik, who runs a public affairs firm, helped oversee the successful effort to elect Republicans to the state Senate, and he helped Emmer in the recount of the governor's race.

In a message to supporters about withdrawing from the RNC campaign, he wrote:

"As many of you know, my wife and I were blessed with our second child on January 25. As my wife prepares to return to work in a couple weeks and my small business continues to grow, it became clear that I would not be able to conduct the type of hands-on campaign that State Central delegates deserve. This was not an easy decision but the best for my family and me at this stage in our lives."