State Sen. Jim Tracy

State Sen. Jim Tracy said on Tuesday that he's disappointed at the withdrawal of Former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson from the presidential race.

"I think his message was beginning to sink in," said Tracy, who had hailed Thompson's entry in the race last May and who campaigned for Thompson in Iowa.

Last May, Tracy said "I've known Fred pretty much all my life ... I think he'll make a great candidate, and I think folks from all parts of the political spectrum can support Fred."

Tracy, a Republican from Shelbyville, praised Thompson last May as "very intelligent, a good communicator ... a strong leader" and said he agrees with Thompson on most issues.

On Tuesday, Tracy called Thompson "a stand-up guy" who knew he would not be able to sustain a campaign effort after his disappointing finish in Saturday's South Carolina primary.

"The voters had spoken," said Tracy.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander issued this statement: "I congratulate Fred and his family for a valiant, purposeful effort. He has contributed to the national debate and made Tennesseans even prouder of him."

Thompson suffered from a string of poor finishes in early primary and caucus states.

Thompson, whose career has included law, politics and acting, including a role on TV's "Law & Order," said in a statement on Tuesday that he hoped his country and his party benefitted from his effort.

In the statement, Thompson did not say whether he would endorse any of his former rivals.

He was one of a handful of members of Congress who supported Arizona Sen. John McCain in 2000 in his unsuccessful race against George W. Bush for the party nomination.

Associated Press reports contributed to this story.