The Daily Beast has confirmed that State Representative Tyler Olson is dropping out of the Democratic primary for Iowa Governor today. The news, first reported by WHO's Dave Price, comes soon after Olson surprisingly announced that he was getting a divorce earlier this month and taking time off from campaigning.
In a statement released Tuesday, Olson said "while focused on supporting my children through the transition in my personal life it is clear they need my full attention. It is time to end my campaign for Governor."
Olson, a 37-year-old from Cedar Rapids who was first elected in 2006, was competing against State Senator Jack Hatch for the right to face off against incumbent Governor Terry Branstad in the 2014 general election. His departure from the race leaves Hatch the only declared candidate in the Democratic primary.
The Cook Political Report currently has the general election as "likely Republican." Although Iowa is a perenial swing state, Branstad is the longest serving incumbent governor in American history.
