By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

Dan McCaffery has ended his bid for Pennsylvania Attorney General, his campaign announced Wednesday morning.

“After much soul searching this past weekend and a series of honest conversations with my family and closest political advisors, I reached the inescapable conclusion that the current configuration of this race and the economic circumstances of the time make it extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible, to continue to mount a viable campaign.”

He additionally cited his desire to see the party unify in order to make a serious run at the office, which has been won by Republicans since it first went to the ballot in 1980.

“I am also deeply concerned that the Democratic Party and the state’s proud labor community are split in their allegiances; we need to be unified in order to be well-positioned to win the Attorney General seat in the November General Election,” McCaffery said.

McCaffery is an attorney from Philadelphia. He previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in the city and ran for DA in 2009.

He’d campaigned pugnaciously, and turned in a solid performance during a debate at Democratic State Committee last weekend. But when it came to the endorsement vote, he ultimately finished second to Murphy by a significant margin – a disappointing finish given McCaffery’s years networking with committee members on behalf of his brother, Seamus.

The state committee ended up declining to endorse in the race.

McCaffery declined to endorse another candidate in the race; former Lackawanna County prosecutor Kathleen Kane and former Bucks County Congressman Patrick Murphy remain in the race.

It’s bad news for Kane, who stood to benefit from the competition between McCaffery and Murphy for votes in the southeast.

The lone Republican candidate is Cumberland County District Attorney Dave Freed.

In other AG news, Murphy’s campaign boasted in a press release that he will give the keynote address at NARAL Pro-Choice America’s annual Roe v. Wade anniversary dinner on Thursday in Washington, DC.

Here is McCaffery’s entire press release:

DAN McCAFFERY ANNOUNCES END OF HIS CAMPAIGN FOR PA ATTORNEY GENERAL

Philadelphia, PA  —  Dan McCaffery, Democratic candidate for the office of Pennsylvania Attorney General, today announced the cessation of his campaign, effective immediately.

“It is with a clear conscience and more than a twinge of regret that I announce today the end of my campaign for Attorney General of Pennsylvania,” said McCaffery.  “After much soul searching this past weekend and a series of honest conversations with my family and closest political advisors, I reached the inescapable conclusion that the current configuration of this race and the economic circumstances of the time make it extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible, to continue to mount a viable campaign.  I am also deeply concerned that the Democratic Party and the state’s proud labor community are split in their allegiances; we need to be unified in order to be well-positioned to win the Attorney General seat in the November General Election.  I exit this campaign with my head held high and my heart full of gratitude for the many people who support and believe in me.  I will continue to be a strong voice within the state Democratic Party and pledge to work tirelessly to make sure the Democratic nominee wins the election in November.  The office is simply too important not to be our top priority.  I wish Patrick Murphy and Kathleen Kane all the best as they continue their pursuit of the Democratic nomination for Attorney General.”

McCaffery also made an impassioned plea to the remaining Democratic candidates and the state party itself.

“America’s middle class is hurting and Pennsylvanians have not been spared,” McCaffery added. “We have been hurt by banks, we have been abused by insurance companies, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and so many other reckless business sectors run amok. It is my sincere hope that the Democratic candidates take up the mantle and defend Pennsylvania’s middle class. Corporations have been given more than a few breaks and a considerable helping hand from our federal government. It’s time to give our state’s struggling middle class a break and the Attorney General can and should play a significant role in making it happen.”