Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton withdrew her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2010 Wisconsin gubernatorial race Monday.

Lawton said in an e-mail to supporters her decision was based on personal reasons.

“My deep commitment to our state is second only to my commitment to my family,” Lawton said in the e-mail. “For very personal reasons, I will not pursue the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010.”

The announcement currently leaves Wisconsin Democrats without a major candidate for the 2010 gubernatorial primary race.

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, who has been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate for governor, released a statement praising Lawton for her public service and expressing surprise at the lieutenant governor’s announcement.

“Like many Democrats, I’m surprised by this news and I’m going to have to let it sink in,” Falk said in the statement.

Melissa Mulliken, campaign spokesperson for Falk, said Falk’s current focus is on the county budget, which is usually finished around Thanksgiving. Mulliken emphasized Falk’s statement that she is still reacting to Lawton’s announcement.

Mulliken declined to say if the development has encouraged Falk to more strongly consider entering the race.

In a statement, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate also praised Lawton’s service as lieutenant governor and said the party is confident she will effectively carry out her office for the remaining 14 months of her term.

“We look forward to a competitive governor’s race and a robust debate — one that will hold Scott Walker, Mark Neumann and any other Republican candidates accountable for their records of failure,” Tate said in the statement.

Republicans are already mentioning Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, who was mentioned as a possible challenger to Lawton in the primary, in their campaigning.

Keith Gilkes, spokesperson for the campaign of Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, said the announcement does not change the need for a focus on the issues in the 2010 race. He responded negatively to Gov. Jim Doyle and Barrett for their economic policies.

“The voters will have a clear choice next November,” Gilkes said in a statement. “Our plan to fix the economy is to create jobs through low taxes and less government — instead of the Doyle-Barrett plan of more spending, higher taxes and overreaching government.”

The Republican Party of Wisconsin went even further in their criticism of Democrats. Reince Priebus, RPW chairman, released a statement accusing forces within the Democratic Party of forcing Lawton out.

“While it appears Governor Doyle and the White House were successful in derailing Lawton’s candidacy, no doubt paving the way for their handpicked successor in the Democrats’ primary, her announcement today takes nothing away from the positive message and innovative ideas of our Republican candidates for Governor,” Priebus said in the statement.

Barrett’s mayoral reelection campaign was not available for comment as of press time.