The Democratic challenger to Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) dropped out of the race on Wednesday, the Wichita Eagle reported.
Chad Taylor asked to remove his name from the ballot even though a recent poll had him just four points within Roberts.
“After much consideration and prolonged discussion with my supporters, my staff, and party leadership at every level, I have decided to end my campaign for the United States Senate,” Taylor told the Wichita Eagle. “I have great love for the state of Kansas and the people that live here. I will continue to work in their best interest every day, but effective today, my campaign is terminated.”
Taylor’s decision to drop out of the race may leave an opening for independent candidate Greg Orman, a former Democrat, who was leading Roberts in a recent survey that still had Taylor trailing the Republican senator.
Roberts’ campaign manager called Taylor’s decision a “corrupt bargain.”
Pat Roberts’s campaign manager calls Taylor dropping out a “corrupt bargain” between Orman and national Democrats.
— Sean Sullivan (@WaPoSean) September 3, 2014
However, Orman seemed surprised by the news.
Orman in a statement on Taylor dropping out: “This is certainly an unexpected turn of events.” #KSSEN
— Sean Sullivan (@WaPoSean) September 3, 2014
