Andrew Horne (D), a retired Marine Corp lieutenant colonel and unsuccessful Congressional candidate in 2006, announced Monday evening that he was withdrawing from the Democratic Senate primary to take on Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R).

Horne, who entered the race less than two months ago, faced a crowded primary field for the Democratic nomination. At the front of that pack is wealthy Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford, who entered the race just two weeks ago. State and national Democratic officials have not been shy about expressing their preference for Lunsford, who backed now-Gov. Steve Beshear (D) after dropping his own gubernatorial bid last year. Another big fish in the Democratic primary is Greg Fischer, a wealthy businessman who entered the race in mid-January.

Since the two millionaire Democrats joined the race, Kentucky newspapers had been speculating whether Horne would be able to stay in the race.

McConnell, meanwhile, is a longtime powerhouse in Bluegrass State politics who has raised more money than any Republican Senator up for re-election in 2008.

In a statement Monday evening, Horne, who lost his primary race to now-Rep. John Yarmuth (D) in the 3rd district in 2006, said the decision to withdraw from the Senate race “was difficult for many reasons, not least because of the major challenges facing our Commonwealth and Country. … Through it all, Mitch McConnell is more interested in expanding the scope of his own power than using his office to benefit the hardworking families who make our country great.”
— John McArdle