DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Democrat Cory Booker has dropped out of the presidential race after failing to qualify for the December primary debate.
Booker announced Monday that he was ending a campaign whose message of unity and love failed to gain traction in a polarized political era.
The U.S. senator from New Jersey had struggled in polling and fundraising since launching his bid last February.
Booker was unable to hit 5% support in a single qualifying poll required to make it on the January debate stage.
His departure leaves a field that was once the most diverse in history with just one remaining African American candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.
It’s with a full heart that I share this news—I’m suspending my campaign for president.
To my team, supporters, and everyone who gave me a shot—thank you. I am so proud of what we built, and I feel nothing but faith in what we can accomplish together. pic.twitter.com/Fxvc549vlJ
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) January 13, 2020
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