A judge in Michigan ruled Tuesday Robert F. Kennedy Jr. must remain on the ballot in the state, despite his attempts to remove himself as a candidate after he dropped his presidential bid.

Kennedy withdrew from the race last month and endorsed former President Donald Trump after a long effort backed by a number of lawsuits to appear on ballots across the nation. He has since waged a tactical battle to remove his name from key swing states, amid concerns his appearance could pull votes from Trump.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said late last month that state law prohibits minor-party candidates from removing themselves from the ballot once theyve been selected as their partys nominee. Kennedy qualified for the Michigan ballot after being nominated by the Natural Law Party.

But Kennedy sued on Friday, saying the states votes could be diminished and rendered invalid if he remained on the ballot.

Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Yates rejected that request.

Elections are not just games, and [Benson] is not obligated to honor the whims of candidates for public office, Yates wrote in his decision.

The Detroit Free Press notes that Kennedy could file an appeal.