FALMOUTH — Democrat Mike Michaud’s only primary challenger stepped aside Wednesday, clearing Michaud’s path to his party’s nomination.

Steve Woods, a businessman and Town Council chairman in Yarmouth, announced he was ending his campaign and throwing his support behind Michaud, the U.S. congressman from Maine’s 2nd District.

“As a leader of municipal government, as a businessperson and as the parent of three children growing up in this state, we need better leadership and a stronger vision. I think Mike can provide the leadership and the vision we need,” said Woods, who was the first candidate to announce his campaign.

Michaud joined Woods for the announcement outside Portland at Woods’ marketing and event-planning business, TideSmart.

Woods said he was giving his “unequivocal support for Mike.”

Michaud thanked Woods for his endorsement and predicted a tough campaign in what’s shaping up as a three-way race with independent Eliot Cutler and Republican Gov. Paul LePage. Cutler finished a close second to LePage in the 2010 gubernatorial election.