INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Departing House Speaker Pro Tem Eric Turner's opponent says his decision to resign if he wins re-election in November makes him a “ghost'' candidate.

Democratic candidate Bob Ashley says he spoke with Turner Monday, but Turner says he could not have his name pulled from the ballot because of state election law.

Turner announced Friday he would resign from the General Assembly if re-elected in November. The Cicero Republican's announcement followed three weeks after House Speaker Brian Bosma announced he was stripping him of his leadership position in the wake of an ethics scandal.

An Associated Press investigation found that Turner helped defeat legislation earlier this year that would have cost him millions in potential profits. A House Ethics Committee determined Turner's actions did not technically violate Indiana's ethics rules.