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National Democrats, following the lead of their Republican counterparts, yanked money out of the District 8 congressional race Friday.

The move indicates the diminished level of national influence and interest — at least for now — in what has long been considered a competitive race. On Thursday, the National Republican Congressional Committee made the first move by canceling plans to run nonstop advertising through the Nov. 7 election.

Now, Democrat Gabrielle Giffords and Republican Randy Graf will need to make their cases to voters without the advantage of millions of dollars in national advertising money.

A spokeswoman with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee did not return a late afternoon phone message.

Nationally, Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a duel for control of Congress. With Republican Rep. Jim Kolbe of District 8 announcing his retirement last year, Southern Arizona's seat has been one of the Republicans' most vulnerable assets.

Both KOLD Channel 13 and KGUN Channel 9 confirmed Friday that Democrats dropped plans to advertise here. Bob Duffy, regional sales manager for KOLD, said ads that would have aired through Oct. 9 have been canceled, and the party has indicated it will clear out ads it slated to run through Election Day.

Giffords' campaign said the departure of the DCCC spoke to the success of local efforts.

"The parties in Washington recognize that Gabrielle Giffords has broad, bipartisan support across Southern Arizona," said Rodd McLeod, her campaign manager.

"We continue to do what we're doing, no matter what the national parties decide," he said.

Graf campaign manager R.T. Gregg said he was "thrilled" both parties are leaving for now.

"We're absolutely delighted to be on a level playing field," said Gregg. "What we have been, is in a championship tournament. One of the visiting teams left. Now the other one's gone to follow them."

"We have a much better chance of communicating our message to voters without millions of dollars being spent on an independent expenditure by people in Washington, D.C.," Gregg said.

Giffords and Graf will face Libertarian David Nolan and independent Jay Quick in the general election.