Louisiana state Rep. Paul Hollis (R) dropped out of the Louisiana Senate race Monday.
“After prayer and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw from the U.S. Senate race in Louisiana,” Hollis said in a statement. “I am thankful for the outpouring of support from voters throughout the state and truly appreciate the tireless efforts of our campaign’s staff and volunteers.”
{mosads}The businessman had framed himself as a conservative alternative to Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the GOP establishment pick to take on Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) in the race. But that title was already largely secured by retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness, and Hollis was never able to pick up much traction.
Hollis’ decision to exit the race could in fact be a boon for Maness, as he’ll be able to coalesce any anti-Cassidy conservative vote behind him. In Louisiana’s jungle primary system, all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the November primary ballot, and if no candidate takes a majority of the vote on election day, the top two vote-getters head to a December runoff.
Still, Cassidy remains the GOP favorite to make it to a runoff with Landrieu, who’s one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents this cycle.