Democrat J.D. Scholten, a two-term Iowa state House representative and former candidate for Iowa’s first congressional district, announced Monday that he intends to withdraw from the Iowa Senate primary, ending his race only a few months after launching his campaign.

The withdrawal announcement follows a push from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, or DSCC, to recruit and clear the field for fellow state House member Josh Turek, whom Scholten plans to officially endorse at a rally Monday night.

Turek’s recent entrance and Scholten’s sudden withdrawal indicates the DSCC, an organ of the Democratic Party establishment, is taking a more active role in key primaries this year as the party mounts a longshot bid to retake the upper chamber.

Two sources close to Scholten’s campaign, who requested anonymity to protect their livelihoods in Democratic politics, told The Intercept last week he has faced increasing pressure in recent weeks to end his bid and back Turek, who announced his candidacy earlier in August. Scholten discussed the race with DSCC officials in early August before Turek announced his bid, according to one of the sources.

In an interview with The Intercept last week, Scholten directly denied plans to drop out and endorse Turek. He also denied receiving pressure from national Democrats to end his candidacy. In a follow-up phone call Sunday night, Scholten changed his tune.

“This wasn’t true last week, but I am dropping out, and I am endorsing Turek,” he told The Intercept.

“It’s not because of pressure from the DSCC, though,” he added unprompted.

It is unclear why the DSCC maneuvered to back Turek over Scholten. Both have strong electoral records, and Scholten has already been vetted by a high-profile national race. (The DSCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.)

© The Intercept