The road to the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate got a little bit smoother for state Sen. Scott Brown as one of his primary opponents dropped out of the race.

Bob Burr, a Canton selectman, said he was withdrawing from the race because he failed to get the 10,000 signatures needed for his nomination papers.

Burr said he called Brown, R-Wrentham, and offered to support him.

"I believe a change is needed to insure that the interests of middle class America are represented on the issues regarding health care reform, cap and trade tax legislation and deficit spending," he said in a statement.

"America has a real opportunity to remain an economic superpower in the years to come if we can get back on track with fiscal prudence and have an eye towards small business expansion," he said. Frequent candidate Jack E. Robinson is still considering a run for the Republican nomination.