AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Two Democratic candidates for the Maine Senate, including one current Senate leader, have dropped out of their races, leaving it up to the party’s county committees to name replacements.

The Central Maine Morning Sentinel of Waterville says Assistant Senate Majority Leader Lisa Marrache of Waterville is stepping out of the race. The paper quotes Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell as saying Marrache found it difficult to juggle her legislative schedule with her work as a doctor.

Nancy Smith of Monmouth, a state representative who was challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Earle McCormick of West Gardiner, is also out of the race.

Thomas Martin of Benton is the Republican Senate candidate in Marrache’s district.

___

Information from: Morning Sentinel, http://www.onlinesentinel.com/