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NASHVILLE -- The Democratic primary contest for governor narrowed to a one-man and one-woman race Friday as state Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, announced he is dropping out.
Sen. Kyle cited anticipated problems in general election fundraising and what he sees as a strong headwind against Democrats in the fall.
"It is clear to me that while our campaign had the assets to be competitive in the primary, the legislative fundraising restrictions, this economy we're in and my duties as Senate Democratic leader have severely hampered my ability to generate the resources that would have been very vital to our success in the general election," he told reporters.
The senator cannot raise funds during the time the General Assembly is session.
His decision leaves former state House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, and Jackson, Tenn., businessman Mike McWherter, son of former Democratic Gov. Ned McWherter, the only candidates remaining in the Democratic contest.
Major Republican candidates are Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons.
"The GOP field of candidates is strong, and I believe that Rep. Kyle could see that it is the Republican message of less government, less spending and more jobs that is resonating with voters," Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney said in a statement after Sen. Kyle's announcement. "Democrat candidates across the state are finding themselves facing an uphill battle in November, which is why I believe Rep. Kyle's exit from this race is a very wise decision."
Sen. Kyle said a Democrat can win the contest, but in a political year expected to prove tough for Democrats, he acknowledged "there's a lot of hostility out there in the public's mind."
"Again, for me to have won this race you got to win on message and what you are for," he said. "And I'm not real sure people were going to hear me this fall.
"As a matter of fact," he said, "I came to the decision that they would not be hearing me this fall because of the economy and because of the anger of the public."
In a statement, Mr. McWherter called Sen. Kyle his "dear friend" and said "if blessed with the opportunity to serve as governor, I will consider it a great privilege to work with him in the fight to improve education, to get folks back to work, and to get our economy moving again."
Sen. Kyle had a strong base in Memphis. He has not made an endorsement.
Ramsey adviser Brad Todd noted that Lt. Gov. Ramsey, who is Senate speaker, also is affected by the ban on in-session fundraising but that it has not been a major problem.
"If the Ramsey campaign raised as little as Sen. Kyle did, we might feel the same way," he said. "But Gov. Ramsey had a very good seven months last year ... We feel good about where we are."
Sen. Kyle had $741,484 in receipts. But half of it came from a $300,000 loan and a $73,000 transfer from his Senate campaign, records show.