Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) ended her presidential bid Thursday and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden, in what is now officially a two-man race.

“Today, I’m suspending my presidential campaign and offering my full support to Vice President Joe Biden in his quest to bring our country together,” Gabbard said in a video statement.

“Although I may not agree with the vice president on every issue, I know that he has a good heart, and he’s motivated by his love for our country and the American people,” Gabbard said. “I’m confident that he will lead our country guided by the spirit of aloha, respect and compassion, and thus help heal the divisiveness that has been tearing our country apart.”

Gabbard outlasted several other top contenders in the race, though she managed to earn only two delegates and consistently failed to qualify for the debate stage since November.

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However, despite the stagnating campaign, she attributed her reason for ending it to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The best way that I can be of service at this time is to continue to work for the health and well-being of the people of Hawaii and our country in Congress, and to stand ready to serve in uniform should the Hawaii National Guard be activated,” the isolationist veteran said.

During her campaign, Gabbard polled better with independents than registered Democrats and was endorsed by a few fringe groups.

Her controversial past included anti-LGBT rhetoric and refusing to call Syrian President Bashar Assad a war criminal, even though he attacked his own citizens with chemical weapons.

She was also the favorite target of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who claimed Gabbard was being “groomed” by Russians. A lawsuit brought against Clinton by Gabbard is currently ongoing.

Gabbard was the last major female presidential candidate, as well as the last nonwhite person in the race.

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Katherine Huggins

Article by Katherine Huggins