Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

The former Obama housing secretary, who was the only Latino in the race, said in a tweet: “I’ve determined that it simply isn’t our time.”

“I’m not done fighting,” the 45-year-old added. His exit leaves 14 Democrats campaigning for this year’s presidential election.

The White House race begins in earnest next month with the Iowa caucuses.

The key issues for 2020 Democrats

The remaining Democrats will battle it out in a series of state-by-state votes nationwide before the eventual winner is crowned at the party convention in July. He or she is expected to face President Donald Trump, a Republican, in November’s presidential election.

Mr Castro ran as a proud and passionate liberal, advocating for the decriminalisation of border crossings by undocumented migrants into the United States.

In September, he was accused of making an ageist insult against Democratic front-runner Joe Biden during a televised debate in Texas when he accused the 77-year-old former US vice-president of being forgetful. Read more

Read also:Republican lawmaker who warned about driving drunk is charged with it

Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

Democratic presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.