Democrats just got some good news in the Oregon Senate race, with an independent candidate who might have siphoned votes from the Democratic nominee now deciding to drop out of the race, leaving the Dem free to focus all his energy on taking out vulnerable incumbent Gordon Smith.

The liberal candidacy by John Frohnmayer, a former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, might have eaten into support for Democratic nominee Jeff Merkley, who has narrowly trailed Smith in the most recent polls. With the race whittled down to two candidates now in a state that is likely to be carried by Barack Obama, the Dems' chances are now helped by them not having to worry about a third-party spoiler affecting the outcome.