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Freeholder Joseph Howarth is abandoning his re-election campaign because of his ongoing fight with Crohns disease.

The Evesham Republican, who has served on the Burlington County Board of Freeholders since 2012, announced his decision to drop out of the race late Friday.

In a letter to the media, Howarth disclosed that he has long battled the digestive condition, but that his condition now requires him to undergo surgery this week and his expected recuperation would prevent him from campaigning with the same passion and energy that have been hallmarks of my past successful campaigns.

A competitor by nature, and someone who is immensely proud of the work done by our Republican majority of the freeholder board to cut property taxes, reduce county spending and still provide key services to middle-class families, seniors and veterans, this is not an easy decision. But it is the right one, Howarth said in the letter. I wish the best to my running mate and friend, Bruce Garganio, and trust that the County Republican Committee will find a strong candidate to replace me on the ballot.

Howarth, a school aide with the Lenape Regional High School District, said he intends to remain on the board and serve out the remaining four months of his three-year term.

The Burlington County Republican Committee will meet Monday night to name a replacement candidate in time to meet the Burlington County Clerks Office's printing deadline, GOP Chairman Bill Layton said Friday.

First off, I applaud Joe for all the work hes done on the freeholder board, Layton said. Hes been an outstanding freeholder whos done wonderful work, and were hoping he makes a full recovery.

Layton said that the full committee was notified Friday about Howarths decision and that several people have expressed an interest in running for the seat. He declined to identify the possible candidates.

Sources familiar with the inner workings of the party said former Freeholder Mary Ann OBrien, of Medford, was a possibility, along with former Freeholders Aubrey Fenton, of Willingboro, and Bill Haines, of Medford.

OBrien served as a freeholder from 2010 to 2013. She and Garganio, of Florence, were unseated during the 2012 election by Democrats Aimee Belgard, of Edgewater Park, and Joanne Schwartz, of Southampton.

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Republican freeholder drops re-election campaign