Don Bivens withdraws from U.S. Senate race

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Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

An announcement from the Don Bivens for U.S. Senate campaign:

My family and I entered this U.S. Senate race to help rebuild America's middle class and to restore the American dream for working families.  With support from you and from thousands of good people we have carried our positive message across the state, and we have shared our brighter vision for Arizona's future.   

With your help, our campaign has been successful.  Thousands of people have made financial contributions, signed petitions, and volunteered their time.  More than 50,000 people visited our website last week alone.     
 
But the continuing head-to-head competition of our Democratic primary is draining resources that we will need as a Party to win this open seat in November.  While I am confident we would win this primary, the cost and impact on the Party that I have spent my life fighting for could diminish the chance to achieve our ultimate goal of winning in November. 
 
A long and contentious primary will detract from our overriding mission to put middle class families first on the national agenda.  The greater good is at stake here.  For this reason I have decided to step aside from the 2012 Senate race. 
 
Trish and I sincerely thank you and the thousands who added your voices and your shoulders to our campaign.  For all who hosted us in your homes and communities, and gave so generously of your time and resources, we will forever be grateful. 
 
The friendships forged during this campaign will continue, as will our commitments to the common values that brought us together to do something good for Arizona. My stepping aside in the Senate race at this point in no way diminishes my continuing commitment to stand up for middle class families in Arizona, now and in the future.

Thank you for all you have done.  I look forward to standing with you in this election and in years to come.  

Onward and Upward,

Don Bivens

The Richard Carmona for U.S. Senate campaign released this statement:

Carmona statement on Don Bivens

Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, released the following statement on former Arizona Democratic Party Chairman Don Bivens:

"Don Bivens is a cornerstone of the Arizona Democratic Party and will remain so for years to come. An agent of change for our state, Don knew how great of an opportunity we have to win this seat and knew that it would take a strong and united effort to do so. He and his team ran a strong race that showed a great deal of respect for the nominating process which in turn has improved our party's chance of success in November."    

"I thank Don, his family and his campaign team for their selfless service to the party and eagerly anticipate working with them to move Arizona forward. He will be an integral player in any winning strategy and I look forward to working with him in the months ahead."

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