(August 31, 2006)--Former Democratic Congressman Ciro Rodriguez says he's dropped out of the crowded free-for-all race to unseat GOP Congressman Henry Bonilla.

Both men are from San Antonio.

Rodriguez cited unspecified "family and personal reasons" for his withdrawal from the race for the seat representing the newly revised 23rd Congressional District.

The 59-year-old Rodriguez was one of six Democrats who filed to run in the special election for the seat Bonilla's held since 1992.

Rodriguez's campaign was $80,000 in debt at the end of June, but Rodriguez said earlier this month that had been reduced to $7,000.

The district includes much of West Texas from San Antonio to just east of El Paso.

A federal three-judge panel redrew the district this month in response to a June Supreme Court ruling.

That ruling said a 2003 redistricting pushed by former US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay created a 23rd District that unconstitutionally diluted Hispanic voting strength.

Rodriguez served in Congress from 1997 to 2005.

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