The second-place finisher in a primary where the top four advance to the November ballot said he would drop out of the race so voters could coalesce behind a single Democratic candidate.
A privacy measure for immigration aid workers became a free speech cause for backers of Mr. Shirley, a right-wing YouTube star. Democrats say the furor is fueled by misinformation.
Nick Shirley, 24, has quickly become a hero in the MAGA movement as a YouTube influencer who has produced viral videos claiming to expose fraud in Democratic-led states.