Coleman Drops Out of Race for Minnesota Governor

ST. PAUL (AP) — Former St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is dropping out from the race for governor.

The three-term mayor was among the first Democratic candidates to enter the wide-open race to replace outgoing Gov. Mark Dayton. But he won just 11 percent of the votes in last week's precinct caucus polling for a disappointing fourth-place finish.

Coleman says the field of Democratic candidates is strong even after his exit. He's the second candidate to drop out, narrowing what was once a field of six major candidates.
Former House Speaker Paul Thissen quit the race after a last-place finish last week.

Rep. Tim Walz, State Auditor Rebecca Otto and state Reps. Erin Murphy and Tina Liebling remain in the race.

Coleman flirted with a gubernatorial run in 2010 before deciding against it.