Now that physician Maureen Reed has dropped her Democratic primary challenge, state Sen. Tarryl Clark can turn her attention to the fall campaign against Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 6th district.

Reed said she gave up her August primary bid because “I have come to the conclusion that a prolonged primary fight only assists Michele Bachmann.”

Clark, the Assistant Majority Leader in the state Senate, said the intraparty race had strengthened the Democratic effort to try to oust Bachmann this fall.

“I am honored by and thankful for Maureen Reed’s endorsement,” Clark said. “Dr. Reed’s supporters and volunteers did a tremendous amount of work to help defeat Michele Bachmann in November, and I invite and encourage them to continue those efforts with our team.”

Clark won the endorsement of the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party in March and was the favored nominee of national party operatives and organizations.

Bachmann’s suburban district slightly favors Republicans, and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) carried it in the 2008 presidential race with 53 percent of the vote.