After Ron Holly's political opponent called him out for misleading voters by saying he is a lawyer in his official campaign statement, the county treasurer/tax collector candidate apologized for the mistake.

"My statement refers correctly to my holding a law degree, but it is incorrect in describing me as a lawyer, since I have not taken a bar exam," Holly said in a statement. "The mistake is mine. I made it honestly, but I shouldn't have made it at all and I apologize for the confusion."

Holly says he didn't proofread his campaign statement and was rushed to turn his paperwork in for the filing deadline. 

The county's chief deputy auditor was quoted in a local newspaper that if he may drop out of the treasurer primary altogether, but Holly tells the Weekly that he plans to stay in the race and still has support from his endorsers, including all five county supervisors.

He faces Assistant County Treasurer Mary Zeeb and Salinas businessman John McPherson in the June 8 race.