House hopeful accused of faking diploma drops out

out of the Florida House race.

"I made a terrible error in judgment," she said. "I am thankful for everyone who gave so much toward my success, and I am deeply sorry."

Last week, Howard posted a photo of herself with what looked like a Miami University diploma after being accused of lying about her degree. The Ohio university later sent reporters a statement saying she attended, but never graduated and the diploma Howard posted has inaccuracies. Howard later posted an apology on her campaign Facebook page and admitted she didn't graduate from the school.

The House seat represents portions of Manatee and Sarasota counties. She would have faced primary opponent Tommy Gregory if she had stayed in the race. Gregory told The Associated Press that he’d talked to Howard by phone after she decided to drop out. She apologized for what she did and offered her full support of his candidacy, he said. "She sounded sincere," Gregory said.

Sarasota County GOP chairman Joe Gruters told the AP that Howard made the right decision.

"I think she saved the party and community a lot of heartache," Gruters said. "I hope she gets the help she needs."

With Florida's primary in two weeks, it's too late to get her name off the ballot. Vote by mail ballots were sent out a month ago, and about 20,000 Republican votes have been cast.

"I can't imagine that voters would have given her a pass on this, but we will never know," Gruters said. "This is a good example for everybody, that if something is in their background, A, be prepared for it to come up, and B, the cover-up is always worse than what happened." already