Democrats can’t seem to hold on to their candidates in the race for retiring Rep. Dan Boren’s (D-Okla.) seat.

Former state Sen. Kenneth Corn, the Democrats’ nominee for lieutenant governor last year, announced late Tuesday night he would not seek the eastern Oklahoma House seat next year.

“Previously I had indicated I would likely be a candidate and that was very true,” Corn said in a statement. “However, my mother’s passing has changed my needs and the needs of my family, and I know that the needs of my house far outreach the importance of a seat in the House.”

Corn is the second well-known Oklahoma Democrat to change his mind about bidding for the seat. Hours after Boren announced his retirement in early June, former Rep. Brad Carson (D) notified reporters of his intentions to seek his old seat. But Carson ruled out a run a few weeks later, also citing family reasons.

The race for Boren’s seat is competitive. Although Boren won re-election easily in 2010, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) carried the district with 66 percent of the vote in 2008.

Roll Call Politics rates this race a Tossup.