I love primaries, especially in safe seats. Comfortable office-holders are not, generally, a good thing, and the sovereign people deserve choices.

Primaries in swing districts - or, as in the Presidential race, national primaries - can be a mixed blessing, especially if they go negative. Consider, for example, Mitt Romney's scathing attacks on John McCain, which have party strategists salivating with the possibilities of a vast realm of footage culled from Romney's attack ads should he get the Veep nod.

In the key race in the Third Senatorial District, withdrawn contender Jimmy Dahroug is now doing his part to calm the waves. Full statement, via email, after the jump.

I'm writing you today to let you know that, in the spirit of party unity, I have decided to suspend our campaign for the New York State Senate. Faced with the prospect of a costly primary and without the WFP ballot line, our chance of victory became outweighed by the potential cost, in terms of both resources and a divided party.

After much soul searching, I have decided to remove my name from the ballot. I believe the best step we can take is to unite around one candidate, Brian Foley, so that we can achieve the larger goal that you and I are so invested in - to bring a Democratic Majority to the New York State Senate.

Like so many of us, I have mixed emotions about this decision. And, to be honest, a measure of personal pain.

Brian Foley and I don't agree on every issue, and we have different strategies for creating change in New York State.

However, I understand that this is bigger than me, bigger than Brian - bigger than all of us, really. Winning this seat and achieving a Democratic State Senate will have a profound effect on the way we live our lives on Long Island and throughout New York State.
The changes won't happen overnight - we have real work to do to change the Senate. But, in time, I believe that things will change with a Democratic Majority. And it is this hopeful possibility that I cannot, in all good conscience, stand in the way of.

From the earliest days of our campaign, I've been extraordinarily fortunate to have supporters like you. I continue to be grateful for and inspired by the many people who have invested their time, money, and passion in this cause. Thank you.

And we have a lot to be proud of. Thanks to you, this is one of the few races that will be the key to a history-making Democratic Majority. We've raised awareness about key issues, and created a strong and vibrant grassroots network that has engaged thousands of our friends and neighbors.
As I always say, God's delays are not God's denials. I also believe that it is through serving that we receive - which is why I am honored to serve as the Honorary Long Island Co-Chair of the Majority Campaign for the State Senate. I'm also thrilled to help send Barack Obama to our nation's highest office, and I share his hopeful vision for the future of our country.

Please know how grateful I am for the support you've provided. I've been touched by your phone calls and emails. Over the years, volunteers and supporters have become like family to me. You continue to inspire me in my work for leadership we can believe in, and I will never forget you.

Thank you for everything you've done and continue to do.

Sincerely,

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The inescapable conclusion is that Democrats have united, while, as I pointed out earlier, the republicans are eating each other.

On the web: Brian Foley for Senate

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