(AP) -- AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The sole major Democratic candidate to replace retiring Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has dropped out of the race.

Retired Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez made the announcement via email late Friday afternoon.

Sanchez is a native of Rio Grande City, Texas.

While the Republican field to replace Hutchison is extremely crowded, Sanchez was the only major candidate from the Democratic Party.

He said pressing personal challenges, including the destruction of his home by fire, forced him to get out of the race.

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