Ailing Talmadge departing Washington governor's race | Seattle P-I

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Ailing Talmadge departing governor's race

By DAVID AMMONS
AP POLITICAL WRITER

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Democrat Phil Talmadge dropped out of the race for Washington governor on Thursday because he has a kidney tumor and may require surgery.

Talmadge said the tumor is not cancerous, but that he needs to focus on his health and not the rigors of a hotly contested primary.

"I'm putting my health and my family first," he said in an interview.

His competitors for the nomination, Attorney General Christine Gregoire and King County Executive Ron Sims, wished him a speedy recovery. Sims made an immediate play for Talmadge's backers, saying the two of them were the only progressives in the race.

Talmadge said he's comfortable with his decision.

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