Former state representative Ron Vieselmeyer handed HBO a prepared statement moments ago, announcing that he has dropped out of the Senate District 5 GOPrimary race against Jim Hammond. Quoth: "Circumstances have changed now that I have a different opponent. Also, due to the fact that my broken leg has not healed as fast as I had hoped for, I have had to carefully reconsider the practicality of campaigning for an elected office at this time. After much discussion with my wonderful, supportive wife, Kate, and other loyal supporters, I have decided to withdraw from running for the Legislature. Vieselmeyer told me that he had a long discussion with Hammond about social values and concluded that they agreed on most points.

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