At this point, we’re down to only three declared Democratic candidates as Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has withdrawn from the race effective today. Chafee had struggled to gain any traction in the polls and his recent debate performance last week did nothing to move the needle.
Here is video of Chafee’s announcement, delivered this morning at the Democratic Women’s Leadership Forum:
Report from Fox News:
Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee withdrew Friday from the Democratic presidential race, further narrowing the already thin field of competitors facing front-runner Hillary Clinton.
Chafee, who has struggled to gain traction in the polls, announced his decision at a Women’s Leadership Forum conference where other candidates also were speaking.
“After much thought I have decided to end my campaign for president today,” Chafee said, while reminding the audience of his “prosperity through peace” campaign slogan. Appealing for less U.S. military intervention abroad, he said: “I would like to take this opportunity one last time to advocate for a chance be given to peace.”
The former Rhode Island governor and senator had a hard time on the campaign trail competing against Clinton as well as liberal Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Chafee was always a very, very longshot, hoping to capitalize on some kind of disdain for Hillary Clinton among Democratic voters. That bet never materialized and the field on the Democratic side has gotten forty percent smaller this week with Chafee and Webb out.
