Two of six candidates to replace Johnson as British prime minister eliminated in first round

Two candidates to replace U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson were eliminated Wednesday from the competition, reducing to six the number of lawmakers competing to lead a Conservative Party and the country after months of ethics scandal and division.

Former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Treasury chief Nadhim Zahawi failed to reach the minimum 30 votes in a secret ballot by Conservative lawmakers to stay in the contest, according to the Associated Press.

Johnson resigned earlier this month when it became clear to him that he could no long run the country, after months of scandal, then the resignation of as many as 60 members of his government, in a show of non-support. 

The balloting Wednesday among 358 Tory lawmakers confirmed the front-runner status of ex-Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, who came in first with 88 votes. Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt secured 67 votes to come in second place, the wire service also reports.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss got 50 votes. Ex-Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch, backbench lawmaker Tom Tugendhat and Attorney General Suella Braverman also remain on the ballot, also according to the wire service.

Further rounds of voting will take place Thursday and, if needed, next week, until just two candidates remain.

The final two contenders will face a runoff vote by about 180,000 Conservative Party members across the country. The winner is scheduled to be announced Sept. 5 and will automatically become prime minister, without the need for a national election, the wire service also reports.