He's out of the race after a storm of controversy around fake Web sites.

Democrat Jake Metcalfe says those Web sites are taking him out of the race for Representative Don Young's seat.

Metcalfe, who is the former chairman for the Democratic Party of Alaska says Wednesday's decision was tied to fake Web sites that contained links that smeared Democratic rival Ethan Berkowitz.

Metcalfe says, while he wasn't involved in the Web sites--he knows one of his staffers was. Metcalfe says he takes full responsibility for what happened.

With Metcalfe out of the race, that leaves Democrats Berkowitz and Diane Benson. On the Republican side is Don Young, Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell and State Representative Gabrielle LeDoux.

"I want to clarify, once and for all, I did not order or ask anyone to buy the sites. I did not know, until recently, that anyone associated with my campaign had done so. It appears that a former campaign worker was involved in these acts. And I condemn them. The buck stops here. I take full responsibility for the actions that have taken place here. I've also called up Ethan Berkowitz and apologized to him today for any harm that may have been caused by this. I regret that Alaskans have been distracted from the real task at hand-- defeating Don Young," said Metcalfe.

Metcalfe isn't officially endorsing anyone right now.

To contact M.J., call 907-273-3186.