Alan Khazei Drops Bid for Senate Primary

The Massachusetts senatorial race lost another candidate after City Year founder Alan Khazei officially announced he was bowing out earlier today. Khazei made the announcement during a noon press conference at his South Street headquarters in Boston's Leather District.

Said Khazei, "in the past few weeks, it has become clear to me while talking with my family and friends, that the best way for me to be of service now is to bring this campaign to a close."

He added, "I’ve said throughout this campaign that Scott Brown does not deserve to be re-elected because he has failed to lead when our country is crying out for game-changing leadership. I don’t want to do anything that could prevent the defeat of Scott Brown in 2012. And so I believe the best way for me to be of service is to exit the race at this time."

Khazei, a Brookline resident, said that his goal had been to change the political system, which he feels is too full of "partisan extremism and obstructionism." He added "and we have way too much money in our politics."

The in April with his "What Works" tour, which traveled around the commonwealth taking a look at businesses, organizations and projects that are making a positive impact. He got the support of in August, and was confident that  despite competition from .

Today, Khazei noted, "Elizabeth Warren has struck a chord with citizens across our state and across our country, at all levels of the political process, and I congratulate her on doing that so quickly."

He joined the other senate candidates in a . After this debate, he was second in the Patch poll with 41 percent of responders.

"Today is a difficult day for me, yes; but it is much more important to remember that every day is a difficult day for far too many of our fellow citizens in this commonwealth and in this country," Khazei also said. 

With Khazei gone, there are now four other Democrats still in the race: , North Shore attorney ,  and recently-announced candidate Jim King.