Montana state Sen. Dave Wanzenried says he’s dropping his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate to replace incumbent John Walsh.
Lee Newspapers reports that Wanzenried dropped out Thursday, citing his wife’s health and saying he didn’t believe he could win the nomination.
Democrats will meet in Helena on Saturday to choose a nominee.
Walsh withdrew from the race amid plagiarism allegations. The former lieutenant governor was appointed to the Senate in February after Max Baucus stepped down to become U.S. ambassador to China.
Rancher Dirk Adams and state Rep. Amanda Curtis were still seeking the nomination. Adams lost to Walsh in the primary election in June. Curtis is a high school teacher from Butte.
Former Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger has said he would accept the nomination under certain conditions.