Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced today that he is no longer running for the 2016 Democratic nomination for president. That gives former secretary of state Hillary Clinton one less competitor.
Chafee will be speaking at the 22nd annual National Issues Conference of the Women’s Leadership Forum and posted his speech on his website. Chafee pledged full support for the Democratic party in 2016.
“As you know I have been campaigning on a platform of Prosperity Through Peace. But after much thought I have decided to end my campaign for president today,” Chafee said. “I would like to take this opportunity one last time to advocate for a chance be given to peace.”
Chafee never gained wide support and a most recent poll showed that he had less than 1 percent support in Iowa, notes CBS News. He also struggled to raise money and didn’t have a good showing at the first Democratic debate.
Chafee served in the U.S. Senate as a Republican and was elected Governor in 2011 as an Independent. He had decided to run as a Democrat for President.
Earlier this week, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb also dropped his bid for the presidency. That leaves just Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders as the only major candidates. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is also running.