Washington ? The Democratic newcomer who hoped to oust Republican Sen. Sam Brownback withdrew Wednesday from the race.

Joan Ruff said she was at a disadvantage because of her late entry into the campaign.

“I will continue to fight for a government more responsive to Kansas families — although not as a candidate,” Ruff, 56, said in a statement issued by her campaign.

Ruff’s departure does little to alter the political landscape in Kansas, a heavily Republican state that hasn’t sent a Democrat to the Senate for 72 years, since George McGill won election in 1932.

The Kansas race has not been a priority for the national Democratic Party, which is two seats away from control of the Senate. The party is focused on much more competitive states such as Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois and Alaska.

Brownback’s war chest had approached $1.3 million before Kansas Democrats found anyone willing to take him on. Ruff, a Johnson County attorney and business executive, declared her candidacy on Jan. 15.

Brownback, 47, issued a brief statement about Ruff’s decision:

“I look forward to running a strong campaign and debating the issues important to Kansas in the months ahead,” he said in a statement from his campaign. “I wish Joan Ruff the best in her future endeavors.”

Brownback entered Congress by winning a U.S. House seat in 1994, then just two years later won the race to finish Bob Dole’s term. Brownback ran again in 1998 to win his first full six-year term and now is seeking re-election.

Democrats had been searching for a candidate before Ruff’s entry. Last year, they entreated former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and Rep. Dennis Moore to run, but both declined.

Sebelius also is uninterested in running.

“Not at all,” said Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran.

Ruff’s campaign canceled fund-raisers planned for Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita and scrapped visits to Coffeyville, Hutchinson, Pittsburg and Winfield.