Abhay Patel, a Republican, has withdrawn from Louisiana's Senate race.
Abhay Patel, a Republican, has withdrawn from Louisiana’s Senate race.

METAIRIE, La. (Diya TV) — New Orleans economic development official Abhay Patel announced he’s withdrawing from the race for a Louisiana Senate seat, and putting his support behind U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany.

Both Republicans, the two appeared aside each other on Oct. 20 in New Orleans to make the announcement. Patel described Boustany as a “man of integrity who has devoted his life to getting results.”

Patel, a lawyer and former investment banker, was one of 24 hopefuls to jump in this summer in an effort to replace retiring Sen. David Vitter, R-La. While he didn’t have the name recognition of some of his competitors, he did raise more than $200,000 in donations, loaning himself another $102,500, campaign finance records show.

Boustany spokesman Jack Pandol said Patel would be actively campaigning for Boustany on the way to Election Day.

“I’m committed to doing whatever they’d like me to do that can help the campaign be successful,” Patel said in a later interview.

Before joining the race, Patel worked for the New Orleans Business Alliance as its vice president for business development. Patel is hopeful the merger of that experience with his law degree would hopefully be selected by Boustany to aid in the search for nominees to the federal bench. His name will still appear on the Nov. 8 ballot, however, because he withdrew past the July 29 deadline to be officially removed from the race.

Calling Acadiana one of the “most dynamic regions” in the country in terms of culture and diverse industry, Patel said Boustany’s success there influenced his decision.

“The fact that Congressman Boustany has been able to lead that region with the success that he has speaks well of his abilities,” he said.