OTTAWA - Liberal leadership hopeful George Takach has withdrawn from the race and thrown his support to front-runner Justin Trudeau.

The little-known Toronto technology lawyer was always a long shot and appeared to enter the race mainly to boost his profile.

He said Monday he intends to seek a nomination to run as a Liberal candidate in the Toronto area in the expected 2015 election.

In the meantime, Takach is endorsing Trudeau, the prohibitive favourite.

"Justin has what it takes to be a great prime minister," he said in a statement.

"He has brought an energy and purpose to the political scene and has proven himself to be an articulate leader focused on the future, not the past."

Takach's departure leaves eight contenders in the race, which concludes April 14.

Still in the running are Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut; Vancouver MP Joyce Murray; former MP Martha Hall Findlay; former cabinet minister Martin Cauchon; Toronto lawyer Deborah Coyne; Ottawa lawyer David Bertschi; and retired military officer Karen McCrimmon.

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