Nardolillo Ends U.S. Senate Bid

COVENTRY, RI — State Rep. Bobby Nardolillo, R-Coventry, said Thursday he is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate. He congratulated Republican opponent Bob Flanders, who won the Republican Party endorsement at Monday night's RI GOP Statewide Convention.

"It is with great personal disappointment that I conclude my fourteen month campaign for the US Senate," he said and cited a lack of money as the main reason for his decision. "The challenge of raising sufficient funds for a national class run has proved too great for me. That fact has led to making my organization too small to effectively communicate the benefits of my candidacy statewide."

Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, the incumbent, has more than $3 million in his campaign coffers, he added.

Nardolillo pledged to support Flanders.