Republican Bernie Moreno has left the crowded Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Ohio after a meeting with Donald Trump.

The Cleveland luxury car dealer and blockchain executive said in a statement late Thursday that he and the former Republican president �agreed this race has too many Trump candidates and could cost the MAGA movement a conservative seat.�

As of Wednesday�s filing deadline, nine candidates were vying for the GOP nomination to succeed U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, who is retiring.

Moreno, who had been a leading contender and fundraiser in the primary, said he will back whichever candidate receives Trump�s endorsement.

There�s a chance Moreno and Trump discussed the possibility that the one Republican in the race who isn�t touting Trump�s Make America Great Again message, state Sen. Matt Dolan, could win if the pro-Trump vote is splintered in May.

Dolan, who fashions himself a Portman-style moderate, recently bolstered his primary campaign with $10.5 million in personal cash and loans.

But Moreno mentioned 10-term U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, who Democrats nationally are looking to as a strong contender to flip a Republican-held Senate seat this fall. Ryan also has a primary.

�We must regain control of the United States Senate and eliminate the possibility of career DC politicians like Tim Ryan from representing Ohio,� he said.

Trump praised Moreno�s effort and thanked him.

�His decision will help ensure the MAGA Ticket wins BIG, as it is all over the Country,� he said in a statement.

(AP)