Columbia mayor drops out of U.S. Senate race

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Columbia Mayor Bob Coble on Monday dropped out of the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, D-S.C.

Coble said he decided to end his campaign in order to narrow the field to the strongest candidate. He immediately threw his support behind state Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, who now only faces political newcomer Marcus Belk of Camden in the Democratic primary.

"I'm very much committed to the Democrats keeping that seat," Coble said. "As much as I'd like to be the one who'd be the standard bearer, you don't want to do anything that divides the party and diminishes her chances of winning."

Hollings is set to retire after his term ends in January 2005.

more...http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/7060299.htm

:thumbsup: This helps Tenenbaum save her resources for the general election.

The republicans look like they will have a significant primary so whoever emerges as the republican nominee will be battered while Tenenbaum will have the democratic party united around her. I think that she has a good chance in this race.

Inez will have a better campaign with a unified front.

Now I can sit back and watch DeMint and Condon hit each other over the head with shovels. I'm rooting for Condon because Inez would absolutely beat him in the general.