Kirk primary challenger threatens indy bid

Here's the latest update on the Doug Hoffman Effect (we're talking conservatives running as independents here, not conservative priamary candidates):

Eric Wallace, a would-be candidate in the crowded GOP Senate primary in Illinois, is dropping out and could run as an independent.

Wallace said he gathered enough signatures to file for the GOP primary Monday, but he opted not run to in order to avoid splitting to conservative vote in the primary. He said job No. 1 is making sure Kirk doesn't win the Republican nomination -- a prospect that is more likely with a crowded field running against the frontrunner.

Wallace, who has raised just $41,000 so far for his campaign, said he would consider running as an independent if Kirk wins the GOP primary, but that he hasn't given it too much thought at this point.

"He's not with us on any issues that are important to us, so we've decided we want to get rid of him like they got rid of (Dede) Scozzafava in New York," Wallace told The Hill.

"I'd rather do it throught the Republican primary, but the Republican Party has shown it doesn't always stick with its principles," he added. "Hopefuly we won't have to go that route."