Maureen Reed drops out of 6th CD primary challenge to Tarryl Clark

[Minnesota Raindog]

from the St. Cloud Times:

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20100606/NEWS01/106060040/1010/News02/Democrat-Reed-drops-out-of-race-for-Bachmann-s-seat

DFLer Maureen Reed today announced she is ending her primary campaign against DFL-endorsed candidate Tarryl Clark in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District.

Reed’s announcement comes less than two weeks after she filed to oppose Clark, a St. Cloud state senator, in the Aug. 10 DFL primary.

Reed — a Grant, Minn., doctor and former lieutenant governor candidate — urged DFLers to “unify” behind Clark to unseat Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater.

“I have come to the conclusion that a prolonged primary fight only assists Michele Bachmann,” Reed wrote in a news release.

Reed decided to withdraw from the race after several days of “re-evaluating” her campaign, said her spokesman, Trevor Willett.

Reed’s campaign once seemed poised to give Clark a stiff challenge, but had waned in recent months as Clark garnered major endorsements and collected more campaign donations.

A Clark news release called Reed “a spirited competitor” and said Clark is “honored” to have Reed’s endorsement.

“It shows we’ve been fighting for a common cause for a long time,” Clark spokeswoman Carrie Lucking said.

Reed’s decision comes three days after the Minnesota Secretary of State’s deadline for candidates to withdraw from the 2010 election. The Reed campaign is trying to determine if it’s still possible to pull her name from the ballot, Willett said.

Bob Anderson, IPM-Woodbury, and independent candidate Aubrey Immelman of Sartell also will be on the general election ballot in the 6th District.

[mascarax]

1. Why now?

Yes, glad she dropped, but her "conclusion" was obvious months ago to, well, pretty much everyone else.
Was she anticipating $$$ that fell thru?

[dflprincess]

2. Now if Madore would just drop out of the 2nd District race...