COEUR d'ALENE - Len Crosby, a Post Falls Republican, withdrew from the race to replace Frank Henderson in Idaho's Legislature.

Crosby's 90-year-old mother who lives in Kentucky will need more of his attention after a fall earlier this week required her to be admitted to the hospital, he said Friday.

"This decision was painful and has not been easy to make," he said. "Duty to family must, however, take precedence over other ambitions and commitments."

At the same time, he said, he feels like he is letting people down who encouraged him to run and offered their assistance.

"I can only hope that they and each of you will understand the reason for my decision and the fact that at this time I have been called to devote more of my time and energy to the needs of my family."

Crosby, vice president of Community 1st Bank, was named the 2010 Post Falls Citizen of the Year, an honor given by the chamber of commerce.

Jeff Ward, president of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans, is the lone remaining announced candidate for the House seat B in District 3.