MODESTO, Calif. — (AP) — The U.S. House’s top Republican is withdrawing his support for a Central California congressional candidate over derogatory online posts that the candidate says he did not write.

A spokesman says House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy rescinded his support for Ted Howze in light of the “disappointing comments” that include remarks about Muslims and Hillary Clinton.

Howze is facing freshman Democrat Josh Harder in the farm belt’s swing 10th District.

Last week, Howze lost the support of the California Republican Party and the National Republican Congressional Committee over the posts. Howze says he's the target of “maliciously false attacks.”