AUGUSTA (AP) – Nancy Oden of Jonesboro said Friday she’s dropping out of the gubernatorial race and instead running for a state Senate seat in Washington County.

Oden, an independent, said she was drawn to the race for the District 29 seat by regional issues including a proposed landfill in an unorganized township and competing proposals for liquefied natural gas terminals.

“I’m needed at home,” she said.

Incumbent Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, is seeking re-election, and Thomas Finlay of East Machias has also filed as a Democratic candidate.

Oden said she’s throwing her support in the gubernatorial race behind Democrat Christopher Miller of Gray.