Ex-congressman stops campaign for Senate in Conn.

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) -- Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons says he's no longer campaigning in the Connecticut U.S. Senate race, days after vowing to challenge former wrestling executive Linda McMahon in a Republican primary.

Simmons made the announcement Tuesday morning on WXLM-FM in New London, but he stopped short of definitively saying he was dropping out of the race. He said he was releasing all his staff and ceasing fundraising.

Simmons planned an announcement later Tuesday. A Republican with knowledge of Simmons' plans has told The Associated Press that Simmons is expected to withdraw from the race.

Simmons narrowly lost the GOP nomination Friday to McMahon in the race to succeed retiring Democrat Christopher Dodd.

Democrats nominated state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)