Democrats dropping like flies in TN-03

Yikes.

NASHVILLE — Chattanooga businessman Brent Benedict, the only Democrat left in Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District race, is dropping out of the contest, citing family and business considerations.

“I have decided that it is in my best interests not to run for Congress at this time,” Mr. Benedict said in a statement on his campaign Web site. “This is a difficult decision for me, but I have always believed family comes first.”

The announcement by Mr. Benedict, who previously said he was running an “under the radar” campaign, leaves no Democrat at all in the contest to succeed U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., who is not seeking reelection in order to run for governor.

In late November, former state Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Paula Flowers of Oak Ridge dropped out of the Democratic primary.