Spencer ends campaign against Latham

Dr. Selden Spencer, a Huxley Democrat, has told supporters he is dropping his campaign to defeat U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, Iowa Democrats said Friday.

Spencer, a physician, lost to Latham, an Ames Republican,  in 2006.

Spencer had said he likely would run again in 2008. He had established a Web site and had begun collecting campaign contributions. The Web site still exists, but contributions no longer are being accepted.

Spencer could not be reached for comment Friday.

He had about $110,000 in his campaign account at the end of June, according to Federal Election Commission records.

He sent a letter to supporters saying he would drop out of the 4th District race for personal reasons, Democrats who saw the letter said.

Spencer was the only Democratic candidate in the central and northern Iowa district to register so far with the FEC.

Meanwhile, Latham is staying mum on whether he will challenge Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., in 2008.

Latham aide James Carstensen confirmed Friday that four U.S. senators will hold a fundraising event for Latham next week in Washington, but Carstensen said it should not be interpreted as a sign that Latham is preparing to run against Harkin.

“He's keeping all his options open right now,” Carstensensaid.

Several of the GOP senators served with Latham in the House and are friends of his who wanted to put together an event in his behalf, Carstensen said.

They are Richard Burr of North Carolina, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Norm Coleman of Minnesota.

Jane Norman can be reached at (202) 906-8137 or at jnorman@dmreg.com