WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic presidential candidate Lincoln Chafee announced on Friday that he is dropping out of the 2016 race for the presidency, saying he will continue to fight for a Democratic president to protect women’s rights.
The former Rhode Island governor, who spent much of his career as a Republican, made the announcement at the Democratic National Committee’s Women’s Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., narrowing the Democratic primary to just three candidates.
“As you know, I have been campaigning on a platform of prosperity through peace,” he said. “But after much thought I have decided to end my campaign for president today. I would like to take this opportunity one last time to advocate for a chance be given to peace.”
Speaking to the largely-female audience at the DNC event, Chafee said the country needs a president who will defend women’s reproductive freedom.
“We all know that the Republican agenda sets back women’s rights and I pledge all my energy towards a big 2016 victory for Democrats across the country,” he continued.
Chafee failed to gain traction in the Democratic primary, receiving money from just ten major donors, according to his most recent financial report.
His announcement follows former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb’s Tuesday announcement that he’s suspending his campaign. Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Martin O’Malley will face off in the second debate on November 14 in Des Moines, Iowa.