NEWARK, NJ — Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey has ended his campaign for president.

"I got in this race to win, and I've always said I wouldn't continue if there was no longer a path to victory," Booker said.

The Democratic Party member announced the end of his 2020 presidential campaign on Monday, writing that it was a difficult decision but one he's making with a full heart.

"I've always believed that," Booker said. "I still believe that."

"Nearly one year ago, I got in the race for president because I believed to my core that the answer to the common pain Americans are feeling right now, the answer to Donald Trump's hatred and division, is to reignite our spirit of common purpose to take on our biggest challenges and build a more just and fair country for everyone," Booker said.

Booker also lingered at the back of the pack in many surveys and failed to meet the polling requirements needed to participate in Tuesday's debate in Iowa.

However, the campaign hit a money wall that it can't surmount, Booker said Monday:

The senator said he plans to continue fighting for the ideas he put forth in his presidential platform, which included a sweeping plan to tackle gun violence , progressive reform of the criminal justice system and strengthening reproductive rights and access to abortion.

"I just won't be doing it as a candidate for president this year," Booker said.

After Sen. Kamala Harris of California ended her own presidential bid in December, Booker criticized the lack of diversity among the remaining candidates, remarking that there are "more billionaires than black people" running for president.

President Trump got in a parting shot when he heard the news about Booker's campaign, tweeting that he can rest easy now that he doesn't have to worry about his "zero-polling," erstwhile challenger.

See related article: More Billionaires Than Blacks Running For Prez, Cory Booker Warns

However, on Monday, Booker urged his fellow Democratic Party members to rally around whoever makes the final cut and takes on President Trump.

"I will be doing everything in my power to elect the eventual Democratic nominee for president, whomever that may be, and to elect great Democrats to the Senate and up and down the ballot," Booker said. "2020 is the most important election of our lifetimes — we have to beat Donald Trump ... but beating Trump is the floor, not the ceiling."

The senator faces another challenge in his home state, where he's up for re-election in 2020.

New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney said Booker's decision to end his campaign was "unfortunate for the country."



"His message of inclusion and compassion was a much needed, positive force in the most important presidential race of my lifetime," Sweeney said. "His voice helped shape the conversation around race and unity throughout the campaign and across the country. While his presidential run has concluded, I look forward to seeing what he is able to accomplish in the years to come and I am confident his influence and vision will continue to lead New Jersey and the nation."

Booker's peer from the Garden State, Sen. Robert Menendez, also lamented the end of his campaign.

"Cory's ideas and ideals have undoubtedly left a mark on this race, becoming our national voice on criminal justice reform and putting forth the most sweeping and aggressive plan to attack the epidemic of gun violence destroying lives and communities," Menendez said.

"His leadership and energy is invaluable to the Senate and to the people of New Jersey," Menendez added. "I'm looking forward to hitting the campaign trail for Senator Booker's re-election this fall and to continuing our work together for years to come."

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said the nation's loss was New Jersey's gain.

"Cory distinguished himself throughout his political career and I believe he would have done the same for our country," DiVincenzo said. "A charismatic leader, thoughtful statesman and tireless advocate, this is not the last time we will see Cory on the national stage."

The New Jersey GOP had a much different take on Booker's announcement, however.

"Absentee Senator Cory Booker has left his state dead last in what we get back from Washington," NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt said.

"If [Sen. Booker] expects to waltz back into New Jersey into open arms he is absolutely wrong," Steinhardt asserted. "His agenda of socialized healthcare and out of control taxes will only fuel this state's affordability crisis. If we want our children to be able to start their lives here and our parents to retire he we need to get rid of politicians like Cory Booker and [Gov.] Phil Murphy."

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.@NJGOP Chairman @DSteinhardtEsq: If @CoryBooker expects to waltz back into New Jersey into open arms he is absolutely wrong. His agenda of socialized healthcare and out of control taxes will only fuel this state's affordability crisis. https://t.co/RAp8hoayws

— New Jersey GOP (@NJGOP) January 13, 2020

BOOKER'S CAMPAIGN: 'A COUNTY WHERE NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN'



Booker, a resident of Newark and the city's former mayor, announced his run for president in February 2019. He kicked off his campaign that April with a public appearance at Military Park.

Booker played up his Newark roots and time as the city's mayor during his presidential run, pledging to build a country "where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind, where parents can put food on the table, where there are good-paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood."

In a show of home-state strength and party unity, 52 New Jersey Democratic officials announced their endorsements of Booker for president that February. The high-profile list of supporters included Gov. Phil Murphy and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.

See related article: NJ's Cory Booker Gets Blue Wave Of Support For Presidential Bid

His opponents included Trump, who lambasted Booker for "running Newark into the ground" during his time at the city's helm.

Recent issues and causes that Booker has supported include the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"), recreational marijuana legalization, combating wealth inequality, investment in water and public infrastructure, and simplifying student financial aid.





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