Victorian Liberal MP Ryan Smith has dropped out of the race for his party's leadership, saying he will instead support his colleague Brad Battin.
Since Matthew Guy's resignation, Mr Smith had been one of four candidates vying for the top job alongside Mr Battin, John Pesutto and Richard Riordan.
The Warrandyte MP said in a statement he would be backing Mr Battin, the MP for Berwick.
"With consideration, and after discussions with Brad Battin, I have concluded that our vision for the party and our approach to the next four years are closely aligned," Mr Smith said.
"Dividing support for that positive agenda is counterproductive.
"Brad will make an outstanding leader — positive, energetic and a person of integrity.
"He also represents one of Melbourne's growth areas, a demographic in which our party's future lies."
Mr Pesutto is still waiting to find out if he has won back his former seat of Hawthorn, which he lost in the 2018 election, before he can formally announce his candidacy.
He holds a slim lead over teal independent Melissa Lowe as the vote count continues.
Mr Pesutto had been considered a strong contender for the party leadership in the lead-up to the 2018 election.
Preliminary election results have the Coalition on 25 seats in the lower house, while Labor are on 51 and the Greens on four.
The fate of seven seats is still undecided, while an election will be held in Narracan at a later date following the death of a candidate during the campaign.
