AUGUSTA — A Freeport man who was running for Maine governor — but “not really” — has dropped out of the race.

The relatively unknown fourth candidate in the Maine governor’s race, Lee Schultheis, said Friday that has withdrawn his name from the ballot in November.

The 58-year-old independent played on the fact that his chance of winning the race was slim with his slogan: “I’m running for governor…but not really.”

Schultheis, a retired mutual fund manager, said Friday that he decided to drop out because of a lack of debates in which he’d be able to participate and share his views with voters.

Schultheis departure means it’s officially a three-person contest between Republican Gov. Paul LePage, Democrat Mike Michaud and independent Eliot Cutler.