A political newcomer Wednesday dropped his bid to unseat Ruben Hinojosa, but not without saying the 10-term Democratic incumbent should quit, too.

Mission policeman Paul Williams dropped his campaign for the Texas House District 15 seat, saying in a news release he needed to focus on "professional and personal priorities" that would detract from his campaign.

“There are other opportunities before me that will help my business and professional careers, and by working on those prospects first, it will make me an even stronger candidate for elected office in a few years,” he said in the news release.

Williams said he wouldn't endorse the incumbent Democrat because he is involved in a "national ethical scandal" tied to an all expenses-paid trip to Azerbaijan.

“Ruben Hinojosa has given the Republican Party a mighty weapon to use against him that also will be used to discourage Democrats from turning out in the 2016 presidential election,” Williams said in the statement. “Even though I may not be in the race at this time, I call on Ruben Hinojosa to do the right thing by not seeking reelection. Otherwise, he will bring dishonor upon the rest of the Democratic Party candidates.”

Williams said he may endorse another Democrat, should one file to challenge Hinojosa. The departing candidate also criticized former Rio Grande City mayor Ruben Villarreal, who has said he would seek the Republican nomination in the district.

“Villarreal abandoned his own people in Starr County because he knew there was no way he could beat Congressman Henry Cuellar, a Democrat, but Villarreal saw Ruben Hinojosa, at age 74, as a much-weaker opponent,” Williams said in the news release.

http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_c303406c-1527-11e5-90af-db22077fde6e.html