Conroy Withdraws From Mass. U.S. Senate Race

The list of Democrats vying to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is thinning. State Rep. Tom Conroy announced Monday that he is withdrawing his candidacy.

Conroy, of Wayland, told WBUR Monday morning he couldn't compete with Harvard law professor and fellow Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren's name recognition, financial resources and ability to energize thousands of volunteers.

"I did not enter this race to run against Elizabeth Warren. I entered this race to replace a reckless Republican who is not serving the best interests of the people of Massachusetts," Conroy said.

Conroy later endorsed Warren.

"She's a very intelligent woman, she's got a great campaign team supporting her, and I will be supporting her going forward," he said.

Conroy said she has a great chance of defeating Brown.

Conroy told WBUR he plans on concentrating now on winning a fourth term in the state House of Representatives, but did not rule out a bid for higher office in the future.

In addition to Warren, the Democratic field includes Middleton lawyer Marisa DeFranco, Newton engineer Herb Robinson and Dover lawyer James King.

With reporting by the WBUR Newsroom and The Associated Press