California Sen. Leland Yee announced on Thursday that he would not be running for secretary of state in the 2014 election, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
"I hereby withdraw my candidacy for election of Secretary of State, effective immediately," a letter to Secretary of State Debra Bowen from the San Francisco Democrat read.
Just one day after law enforcement officials arrested the Golden State politician on arms trafficking and wire fraud charges, Yee stated his decision to remove his name for the ballot. But according to the LA Times, the Senator cannot take himself out of the running for the June 3 primary.
His name will still appear next to the seven other Secretary of State hopefuls, since California law doesn't allow a candidate to take their names off of a ballot after they've already declared their intent to run. Spokesperson for the secretary of state Shannan Velayas told the Times that Yee's name won't be taken off the voting ballot, but one of the politician's advisors said there would be no campaign for the spot.
Political consultant Richie Ross confirmed to the Times that Yee would no longer be an active participant in the race.
"I am sure Sen. Yee came to the same conclusion as everyone else has, regarding his political viability," Ross stated.
FBI officials arrested Yee on Wednesday, after they reportedly found the politician had carried out wire fraud, and conspired to illegally buy and sell guns.
Democrat Jeff Drobman told the Times that he already intended on criticizing Yee's crimes as a reflection of larger issues in Sacramento.
"This sad case of Sen. Yee strongly points out the poisoning effect of raising funds, especially after so many years of it by old-time politicos, who get jaded," Drobman stated this week.
