Campbell Leaves Gov Race, Will Challenge Boxer for Senate Seat

Following murmurings earlier this week, former Congressman Tom Campbell has officially announced he is withdrawing from the Republican gubernatorial race and intends to challenge Barbara Boxer (D) for her Senate seat come fall, reports KESQ. In a video released today, Campbell remarks that the "change" that began in DC last year is not what California needs or wants, and targets "irresponsible growth in spending" driving our state and country into debt.

"In a letter sent Thursday to donors and other supporters, the Republican says political pragmatism forced him from a race in which he was squeezed between two mega-rich opponents." It seems, however, that Campbell has shifted from two wealthy GOP opponents, eBay chief executive Meg Whitman and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Poizner, to a closely-watched race that involves two other Republicans, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina and Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, both of whom have been campaigning for months.

Whoever emerges from the GOP race for the seat will face an veteran in a tough battle. "Boxer, 69, is running for a fourth term and faces no major challengers in the Democratic primary," notes an AP report published on KGO.

Watch Campbell's video after the jump.