Former Rep. Doug Ose has ended his California gubernatorial campaign after suffering a heart attack just weeks ahead of the election.

"While I’m told I should expect a full recovery, additional procedures and potentially surgery are required, and it has become clear that I must now focus my attention on rehabilitation and healing," Ose said in a statement. "Sometimes you have to do things that you don’t want to do. It is what is: my campaign for governor is over."

Ose served multiple terms in Congress representing the Sacramento area before joining the field of Republicans vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in a recall election. He built his campaign on conservative appeals to reduce crime and combat homelessness.

Despite boasting some name recognition from his years in public service, Ose was not able to break away from the pack of established Republican candidates in terms of fundraising or poll numbers.

Ose dropped out just hours before he was set to appear on a debate stage with three other Republican candidates. He also left at a critical stage of the race: Elections officials have just mailed out ballots to all active, registered voters ahead of a Sept. 14 vote.