LEE, Mass. — The Democratic primary will determine the next district attorney after the lone candidate running independently dropped out on Tuesday. 

 

Robert D. Sullivan Jr., a former assistant district attorney, did not file to run by Tuesday's deadline. Instead, he posted on his campaign Facebook page his decision to withdraw and back Timothy Shugrue. 

 

"From day one, I have made it clear that this campaign is not about me," the Lee attorney wrote in his statement. "It isn't about a headline, my resume, politics or power. It was about ending the failed experiment that currently exists and restoring skill and training to the chief prosecutor's office with one goal in mind: public safety."

 

He said the best way for him to achieve his goal is to back Shugrue. 

 

"I expect that many of my supporters will not have any problems with support Tim," he wrote. "To those that may be hesitant, know that I will be communicating with Tim regularly and am willing to with his transition team to ensure that your voice is heard. 

 

Harrington, elected in 2018, is running for re-election but has not yet formally launched her campaign. She ran on a progressive agenda that the voters responded to but has come under fire for perceived missteps during her tenure.

 

She and Shugrue will face off in the Democratic primary. No Republican has come forward to run. 

 

Sullivan, who formally launched his campaign in March, thanked the volunteers on his campaign but is keeping his campaign committee "should the need arise in the future."

 

Candidates for district and county officers were required to file at least 1,000 voter signatures by Tuesday at 5 p.m.; the last day for nomination papers is May 31. The primary will be held on Sept. 6.