SACRAMENTO -- Stunning friends and foes, Greg Hill abruptly abandoned his state Assembly campaign late Friday.

One of four Republicans in the race, Hill's decision is being praised by GOP leaders who feared a bloody and costly primary fight in the special election to fill the late Mike Gordon's seat.

Hill, the former mayor of Redondo Beach who is to be married soon, did not return a phone call seeking comment. His campaign office confirmed his decision, but did not immediately issue a statement.

A surprised Torrance Mayor Dan Walker, a Republican, warned that the decision puts more pressure on a relatively unknown GOP candidate, Dr. Mary Jo Ford, to build a strong base and muster name identification over the next month.

Ford, a Manhattan Beach anesthesiologist, issued a statement praising Hill for his work on behalf of Redondo Beach, where he served eight years as mayor and four years as a councilman.

"With his upcoming marriage, I'm sure he felt it wasn't the time to be burdened with the obligations of an election campaign," she said.

Republican Paul Nowatka, a Torrance city councilman, vowed to stay in the race.

"We are just going to work five times harder. ... I would disappoint so many people if I dropped out. There is no chance in hell," Nowatka said.

Voters in the 53rd Assembly District, which stretches from Venice to Lomita, will go to the polls Sept. 13. Because it's a special election, voters can cross party lines in the primary. If no candidate receives a majority, the top vote-getters from each party will move on to the general election Nov. 8.

Voters will still see Hill's name on the September ballot, according to Marcia Ventura, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office.

"There is no provision for withdrawal of a candidacy once nomination documents are filed," she said.

Redondo Beach Councilman John Parsons, a Hill supporter, said he was caught off-guard.

"I'm surprised," he said. "I thought he had a great chance."

Hill lost to Gordon, an El Segundo Democrat, by 10 percentage points in November. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had campaigned for Hill last year, but had not committed to a candidate in the special election.

Democrats, led by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, earlier cleared their field for Ted Lieu, a Torrance city councilman.

Assembly Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield supported Hill's decision as being in the best interests of the party.

"Greg's move speaks volumes about his dedication to the Republican Party. If we have a bruising primary and the Democrats don't, that obviously makes it much more difficult for the Republican nominee," McCarthy said in a statement.

Walker said he was "very surprised" that Hill bowed out.

"Greg has been a good friend and has done a great job in Redondo Beach. He would have held the Republican banner very high. I'm lost for words," Walker said.

Walker said he is concerned that Lieu's instant name identification could attract Hill's supporters in the moderate district.

"Dr. Ford would probably need time to develop name ID. ... That luxury may not exist," Walker said.

Jim Brulte, a former Republican leader and key GOP political strategist, said he was unaware of any party pressure on Hill.

"Starting a marriage is tough enough without complicating it with what will be a hard-fought primary and a hard-fought general election. I have a great deal of respect for Greg. ... I certainly wish him well," Brulte said.

Brulte, who had already endorsed Ford, said the decision "narrows the field and it immediately makes Dr. Ford the Republican front-runner."

Lieu's campaign manager, Becki Ames, declined to comment.

Venice resident Paul Whitehead, a high school teacher, rounds out the GOP field. James R. Smith, a community labor organizer from Venice, has filed as a member of the Peace and Freedom Party.

Daily Breeze staff writer Ian Hanigan contributed to this article.