NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney issued the following statement after Democrat State Senator Jim Kyle announced he is discontinuing his campaign for Tennessee governor:

“The GOP field of candidates is strong and I believe that Sen. Kyle could see that it is the Republican message of less government, less spending, and more jobs that is resonating with voters,” said Devaney. “He didn’t need anymore proof beyond the substantial fundraising numbers put up by the GOP which showed Republican gubernatorial candidates out raising their Democrat counterparts by $9 million. Democrat candidates across the state are finding themselves facing an uphill battle in November which is why I believe Sen. Kyle’s exit from this race is a very wise decision.”

Sen. Kyle’s decision to withdraw from the race drops the number of Democrats vying for governor to just two.