Ryan quits Senate race

Associated Press Writer CHICAGO - Republican Jack Ryan dropped out of the U.S. Senate race Friday, four days after embarrassing sex club allegations in his divorce records became public. "It's clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race," Ryan said in the written statement. "What would take place, rather, is a brutal, scorched-earth campaign - the kind of campaign that has turned off so many voters, the kind of politics I refuse to play," he said. "Accordingly, I am today withdrawing from the race." Ryan's announcement came amid increasing pressure from party leaders, who had met several times in Washington and by teleconference since the records' release Monday to discuss the da