PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Libertarian candidate Kurt Evans says he's ending his campaign for a Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tim Johnson.

The Capital Journal reports that the Wessington Springs distance education facilitator says one reason for his decision is the financial costs, including money that had to be spent on gathering signatures for a nominating petition.

To have his name on the ballot, Evans would have been required to collect and turn in 250 signatures from registered Libertarians to the Secretary of State's office by March 25.

Evans says the campaign had already cost him as much as he could reasonably afford. He says the petition drive would have required him to spend thousands of dollars more.

The seat has drawn interest from four Republicans and one Democrat.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

More From KXRB