BANGOR – Republican Stephen Stimpson of Bangor on Friday dropped out of the 2006 governor’s race, citing the ailing health of his elderly mother.

Stimpson, a 46-year-old concessions stand owner, was considered a long shot in the June Republican primary, the winner of which will hope to unseat incumbent Democratic Gov. John Baldacci in November.

So far, three Republicans have declared their candidacies for governor. They are former U.S. Rep David Emery of St. George and state Sens. Peter Mills of Cornville and Chandler Woodcock of Farmington.

In an afternoon interview, Stimpson said he had already collected 1,967 of the 2,500 $5 checks needed to qualify his campaign for public financing under the Maine Clean Election Act.

Candidates enrolled in a party have until April 18 to submit the checks to state election officials, who were notified of Stimpson’s withdrawal Friday morning.

Qualified candidates could receive more than $1 million for their campaigns under the state’s public financing law.

Stimpson’s withdrawal leaves the race with nine candidates: two Democrats, three Republicans, one Green and three independents.