Election

(AP) Democrat Mike Ciresi dropped out of the race for U.S. Senate Monday, giving comedian-turned-candidate Al Franken a major boost in his own Senate bid.

Franken and Ciresi were vying for the Democratic Party's endorsement to take on Republican Sen. Norm Coleman in November. Franken has raised millions more in campaign funds and lined up most of the important union endorsements, but Ciresi's impressive resume as a trial attorney and personal wealth positioned him as a potential spoiler to Franken's ambition.

Ciresi's statement that he was dropping out indicated he didn't think he could catch up to Franken's lead in rounding up the support of Democratic delegates, who will confer their endorsement at the state party convention in June. Both Franken and Ciresi vowed not to run in the primary election without the party endorsement.

"In my judgment, continuing the endorsement race would only lead to an unnecessary floor fight. It is time to step aside," Ciresi's statement said. A spokeswoman said he wouldn't be available for interviews.

Franken issued a statement late Monday night praising Ciresi for a "well-fought campaign," citing his "passion for social justice, his command of the issues facing our nation, and his devotion to the people of Minnesota. ...

"I welcome his counsel, I honor his friendship, and I look forward to working with him to make sure the DFL takes back this seat," Franken said.

Ciresi, in his brief statement, didn't endorse Franken or the other major candidate, college professor and peace activist Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.

Ciresi's decision is unquestionably good news for Franken, who won't have to contend with Ciresi tapping into his own deep pockets to sway Democratic delegates. Ciresi recently loaned his own campaign $2 million, and he and campaign surrogates were growing more vocal about Franken's history of off-color jokes -- arguing Coleman and Republicans would be able to use them against Franken in the general election.

Nelson-Pallmeyer has also showed surprising strength at local party meetings, and on Friday his campaign claimed it was ahead of Ciresi in securing commitments from Democratic delegates. Nelson-Pallmeyer has also vowed to abide by the party's convention endorsement.

"This sets up a clear contrast between me and Al Franken, and that helps my campaign," Nelson-Pallmeyer said, predicting that most Ciresi supporters would gravitate his way.

Nelson-Pallmeyer also promised to abide by the party endorsement. The winner will face Coleman, seeking his second term in a year where Democrats hope a favorable political environment will help them displace Republican incumbents in traditionally Democratic states like Minnesota.

Ciresi is best known as the chief litigator in the state of Minnesota's successful 1998 lawsuit against Big Tobacco, one of numerous multimillion dollar settlements and awards under his belt.

But his forays into politics met with less success: In 2000, he failed to secure the Democratic endorsement for the Senate, then went on to finish second in the primary election to former Sen. Mark Dayton. He joined the Democratic race to unseat Coleman last April, arguing that his experience as a trial lawyer made him well-suited to fight in the U.S. Senate for economically distressed people.

In a statement, Coleman praised Ciresi's "desire to serve" -- and slid in a dig at Franken, who grew up in Minnesota but spent most of his adult life in New York City before returning to Minnesota in 2005.

Of Ciresi, Coleman said: "He and I both share a common path in having raised our families here and making a commitment to serving the people of Minnesota through public and community service."

Coleman was born in New York but spent most of his adult life in Minnesota.

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Norm Coleman was born in New York City in 1949. Al Franken was born in New York City in 1951.

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