Democrat Mary Lawrence announced Tuesday that she is dropping out of the race for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement in Minnesota’s 2nd District.  

“At this juncture, it is clear that I would not win the DFL endorsement through the caucus process,” Lawrence said in a statement.  

“While I wholeheartedly believe that I could win the Primary, and go on to win the General, this pursuit would deeply divide and harm our party. That is something that I cannot do in good conscience,” she said.  

Lawrence, a physician, and health care executive Angie Craig have been vying for the nomination in the race to replace retiring Republican Rep. John Kline.  

Craig, who praised Lawrence’s contribution to the race Tuesday, has raised more money and has secured more endorsements, both from DFL members and lawmakers in Washington .  

Asked if Lawrence, who has poured significant personal wealth into her campaign and ended last quarter with more cash on hand than Craig, would consider waging a campaign as an independent, spokesman Mark Warren said, “Absolutely not.”  

After Kline announced his retirement in September , several bigger-name Republicans passed on the race . Republicans have yet to settle on a candidate in this district that President Barack Obama narrowly carried twice and the Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report /Roll Call rates a Tossup race .  

Related:

Roll Call Race Ratings Map: Ratings for Every House and Senate Race in 2016


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.