Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons said Tuesday that he's no longer campaigning in the Connecticut U.S. Senate race, days after vowing to challenge former wrestling executive Linda McMahon in a Republican primary.
Simmons cited his opponent's financial resources as the reason for his decision to scale back his campaign. McMahon has vowed to spend $50 million of her own money on the race.
"We will release staff to pursue other opportunities and curtail campaign activities," Simmons said Tuesday. "This is not an easy decision or a happy decision. But we believe it is the right decision."
His name will remain on the primary ballot.
Simmons narrowly lost the GOP nomination Friday to McMahon in the race to succeed retiring Democrat Christopher Dodd. Simmons had been the front-runner in January when Dodd was still in the race.
Democrats nominated state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who has recently been criticized for misstating his military record during the Vietnam War.
Simmons says he was disappointed with the convention because he thought he was going to win because of his experience. The decorated Vietnam veteran served three terms in the U.S. House before losing the 2006 election by just 83 votes to Democrat Joe Courtney.
NBC's Mark Murray contributed to this report.
