LAS VEGAS (AP) - State Sen. Ruben Kihuen announced Tuesday that
he was dropping his bid to become Nevada's first Hispanic
congressman after polling and fundraising numbers suggested he
would have a hard time winning the Las Vegas-based district.

His exit effectively ensures fellow Democrat and former U.S.
Rep. Dina Titus will return to Washington. The district is
overwhelmingly Democratic.

Kihuen said he would help to re-elect President Barack Obama and
other Democrats, including Titus. Kihuen intends to remain in the
state Senate.

"Unfortunately, the reality is that continuing my efforts to
win in what would promise to be a resource draining primary at this
time is not in the best interest for me, my family, my community
and my party," he said.

Kihuen announced he would campaign in Nevada's 1st Congressional District before Titus did, but she soon made clear that she would not play nice. During her campaign announcement, she dismissed Kihuen as an inexperienced rival.

Titus served one term in Congress representing Nevada's 3rd
District before she was defeated in 2010 by Republican Joe Heck.

Kihuen was elected to the Senate in 2010.

Federal fundraising reports show Titus outpacing Kihuen by more
than 2-to-1. She raised nearly $422,000 to his $189,000.

Titus also released internal polling that suggested Kihuen could
not win.

The southern Nevada district is about 40 percent Hispanic. The
seat is being vacated by long-time Rep. Shelley Berkley, a Democrat
who is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Dean Heller.

Some Democrats had hoped Kihuen's candidacy would turn out the
Hispanic vote, which tends to favor Democrats. He said he would
continue to encourage Latinos to be active in the electoral process
ahead of the November elections.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who had indicated in recent
months that he was quietly supporting Kihuen, responded to the
announcement by endorsing Titus.

"Nevada's middle-class families need Dina Titus in their
corner," he said.

Two Republicans and political newcomers, Chris Edwards and
Miguel "Mike" Rodrigues, are also running for the southern Nevada
district, where Democrats hold a 67,000-voter registration
advantage.