Montana State Sen. John Walsh announced on Thursday that he was dropping out of the senatorial race due to allegations that he committed plagiarism.

"I am ending my campaign so that I can focus on fulfilling the responsibility entrusted to me as your U.S. senator," the New York Times reported. "You deserve someone who will always fight for Montana, and I will."

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Walsh's announcement came he met with his campaign managers in Helena to discuss his political future.

The senator reportedly pulled out from the race because of the plagiarism accusations he has been receiving.

The New York Times reported in July that the senator's final paper for his master's dissertation at the U.S. Army War College has been plagiarized.

According to the report, more than 25 percent of Walsh's dissertation copied a document published in the Carnegie Endowment without proper citations.

Meanwhile, the senator's decision to withdraw his candidacy left his party scurrying to find a replacement for the November midterm election.

Montana State University political analyst David Parker said that the Democrats will have a hard time finding a suitable replacement on time.

"I won't say there is no chance, but it's going to be extremely slim," Parker said.

Walsh, a Democrat, has served as a U.S. senator since February 2014. He was appointed as a replacement to Sen. Max Baucus, who was named ambassador to China.

The Democratic Party has until Aug. 21 to find a replacement for Walsh.

Walsh will serve in his office until January 2015. 

TagsJohn Walsh, Montana, senator