Businessman's exit leaves GOP high and dry in Del.

House Republicans are back to the drawing board in Delaware.

Businessman Anthony Wedo has opted not to run for Rep. Mike Castle's (R-Del.) open seat, according to a well-placed source.

Wedo emerged as a potential candidate before Castle announced he would run for the Senate. As a restaurant executive who sold his company to Boston Market, Wedo could have been the self-funder the GOP was looking for.

Republicans don't yet have a ready alternative in what is looking more and more like a lost-cause district. Castle made his Senate announcement in early October, and Republicans are still without a candidate. The filing deadline isn't until July, but the GOP isn't optimistic at this point.

Former Lt. Gov. John Carney (D) entered the race before Castle made his Senate announcement, and has raised more than $700,000 for the race.