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Liberal MP Marc Garneau has dropped out of the Liberal leadership race, saying that it has become clear that the party has chosen to support fellow MP Justin Trudeau.

“Last night I spoke with Bob Rae and I also spoke with Justin Trudeau and informed [them] of my decision to withdraw my candicacy for the Liberal leadership,” Garneau said at a morning news conference. “I entered this race thinking I had a chance to win, the odds were long but not impossible . . . but at the end of the day I am second.

“It is my opinion now based on internal analysis that the party has chosen [Justin Trudeau.] Trudeau must be commended for contributing to renewed interest in the Liberal Party.”

Garneau repeatedly made mention that “the numbers” helped make his decision, and said an internal survey of 6,000 Liberals showed overwhelmingly support for Trudeau.

In that poll, Trudeau led with 72% support, Garneau was in second with 15%, Liberal MP Joyce Murray followed with 7.4% and Martha Hall Findlay garnered 5.2%.

“I cannot mathematically win,” Garneau said. “Numbers don’t lie.”

Garneau, 64, says he intends to stick around as a Liberal MP for a “long time.” The next federal election is expected in 2015.

“I am a loyal soldier,” he said, later clarifying that Trudeau “promised him nothing.”

Garneau, although well behind even at the start, was considered Trudeau’s biggest challenger due to his hefty resume. He had taken pot shots at Trudeau’s less-than substantial policy plans and experience during the race, but nothing seemed to stick in a way to change the frontrunner’s status.