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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants Democratic candidates to win, but it may be more important that Republican candidates lose.

That may explain why Democrats in two key races with implications for Senate control have dropped their bids, strengthening the odds for third-party candidates while creating tougher contests for Republicans.

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Democratic Senate nominee Chad Taylor may remove his name from the Nov. 4 ballot, leaving independent candidate Greg Orman as the only strong challenger to Republican Sen. Pat Roberts.

Meanwhile, an Alaska Republican has filed a lawsuit challenging Democratic gubernatorial nominee Byron Mallotts decision to abandon his candidacy and run as lieutenant governor on a ticket with independent candidate Bill Walker.

Mr. Walker and Mr. Mallott announced earlier this month they would combine forces after polling showed both of them trailing Republican Gov. Sean Parnell by double digits. That unity ticket may not be enough to defeat the incumbent, but Anchorage political analyst Marc Hellenthal says theres another goal: Boosting the candidacy of Democratic Sen. Mark Begich.

Mr. Begich is locked in a tight contest with Republican former attorney general Dan Sullivan, and the specter of a Parnell landslide was threatening to depress Democratic turnout.

He [Begich] wanted a contested gubernatorial race because that helps him, in terms of bringing out marginal Democrats, said Mr. Hellenthal, who has worked for both Democratic and Republican candidates. Theyre more motivated to vote, in other words.

Both the Alaska and Kansas Senate contests are seen as crucial to deciding which party gains control of the chamber in November. Republicans need six seats to flip the Senate in what is increasingly viewed as a wave year for the GOP.

Mr. Orman may be running as an independent, but he has sought office in the past as a Democrat. If he wins and agrees to caucus with the Democrats, they may be able to swing a 50-50 Senate split that allows them to keep control, given that Vice President Joseph R. Biden holds the tie-breaker vote.

Kansas Republicans blasted the state Supreme Courts Thursday ruling, arguing that Mr. Taylors decision to drop off the ballot disenfranchises Democratic primary voters. Secretary of State Kris Kobach ordered Democrats to choose another nominee by Sept. 26, but then agreed Friday to mail out some ballots without Mr. Taylors name.

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Democrats drop off tickets to help Harry Reid keep Senate control