In his press conference Wednesday afternoon, presidential candidate Bernie Sanders announced that he is dropping out of the presidential race, leaving Joe Biden as the democratic candidate.
“I wish I could give you better news, but I think you know the truth, and that is that we are now some 300 delegates behind Vice President Biden, and the path toward victory is virtually impossible,” Sanders said.
Biden, now on the path to take on Trump for the presidency, made an announcement persuading Sanders’ followers to now join him in his campaign.
“And to Bernie’s supporters: I know that I need to earn your votes. And I know that might take time. But I want you to know that I see you, I hear you, and I understand the urgency of this moment. I hope you’ll join us. You’re more than welcome: You’re needed,” Biden wrote on Twitter.
And to Bernie’s supporters: I know that I need to earn your votes. And I know that might take time. But I want you to know that I see you, I hear you, and I understand the urgency of this moment. I hope you’ll join us. You’re more than welcome: You’re needed.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 8, 2020
Sanders first started making a name in the 2016 elections. He emerged as an influential Democratic politician, gaining a massive following through the endorsement of policies such as Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, and the Green New Deal.
Joining the 2020 campaign in February 2019, he quickly gained the lead, picking up wins in New Hampshire and Nevada, and raising more money from small donors than any other candidate in American history. However, much of his momentum was lost when similarly progressive candidate Elizabeth Warren jumped in and backed similar policies as Sanders.
“Sanders ran a good campaign at the beginning, yet reached failure due to his inability to establish widespread popularity in the democratic field, combined with his inability to appeal to high level democratic donors,” sophomore Ben Kelly said.
His campaign took a major hit after he suffered a heart attack in October, but after endorsement by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Coretz, he quickly reestablished his footing.
However, Biden dominated 5 out of 6 states that voted on March 10. Additionally, Sanders suffered major losses Florida, Illinois, and Arizona on March 17, signaling the end of his campaign.
“No sugarcoating it, last night did not go the way we wanted,” Sander’s campaign manager Faiz Shakir said regarding the March 17 losses. “And while our campaign has won the battle of ideas, we are losing the battle over electability to Joe Biden.”
In his live stream Wednesday afternoon, Sanders was sad to be making this announcement, calling this decision “difficult and painful”.
“When I heard Sanders suspended his campaign, I felt hopeful yet a little bit concerned,” Kelly said. “I am hopeful for a more unified democratic party, but concerned to see how the aftermath of his campaign affects the presidential race.”
Sanders also said that he understands his supporters would want him to carry on, but added that it is more important to focus on the work regarding coronavrius.
“I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour,” Sanders said.
After a long stretch, Sanders has officially ended his political campaign and insists on supporting the eventual nominee. Though his campaign his over, it hasn’t halted the lasting impression he left on his immovable political base, and has left the race as one of the most influential democratic candidates.
“So while we are winning the ideological battle and while we are winning the support of so many young people and working people throughout the country, I have concluded that this battle for the Democratic nomination will not be successful. And so today I am announcing the suspension of my campaign, Sanders said.
