Ilia Nossov gave up his presidential aspirations when he abandoned his UB Evolved efforts and began campaigning on behalf of the Progress party on Wednesday.
The move raised eyebrows with the UB Advocates, who offered suspicions that Nossov was promised a job with a potential Progress administration. Nossov said those rumors were false.
"I never would have joined if there were bribes," he said. "It would have turned me off to them."
Nossov said he decided to support Progress because he was impressed by their campaigning organization.
"What got me was the style," he said. "Everyone was very dedicated. You had to respect what they were doing. The organization, the energy. It was just amazing."
Even though he abandoned his campaign, the names of Nossov and UB Evolved running mate Kevin Simon remained on the ballot, pulling in 113 votes when polls closed.
