New London — New London Board of Education member Jason Catala said he withdrew his name Monday from consideration for the 39th Assembly District House seat.

Catala made the announcement on the eve of Tuesday’s local Democratic convention where he had planned to challenge incumbent State Rep. Chris Soto, D-New London, for the Democratic nomination.

“Due to increased responsibilities at my full-time job in New Haven, CT and the need to work extra hard on the New London Board of Education during the next few months with the transition of our new superintendent and the extreme need to work on policy implementation and to see that policy is followed,” Catala said in a statement.

“I am withdrawing from the race for the 39th district House seat. Although I am withdrawing, I am excited to work with the Democratic Town Committee and citizens of New London to assist and support candidates running for office in the November 2018 election,” Catala said. “Representative Soto has worked hard for New London, and I wish him tons of luck in his re-election bid."

- Greg Smith