New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand dropped out of the Democratic presidential race on Wednesday after she failed to qualify for the third debate - earning a mocking tribute from Donald Trump.

'Today, I am ending my campaign for president. I am so proud of this team and all we've accomplished. But I think it's important to know how you can best serve,' she said in a statement.

'To our supporters: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Now, let's go beat Donald Trump and win back the Senate,' she added.

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand dropped out of the Democratic presidential race

Trump weighed in on her exit, mockingly claiming it was him she feared and not her Democratic rivals.

'A sad day for the Democrats, Kirsten Gillibrand has dropped out of the Presidential Primary. I’m glad they never found out that she was the one I was really afraid of!,' he tweeted.

Gillibrand, who ran a campaign focused on women's issue, never caught fire with Democratic voters.

She failed to garner the 130,000 necessary donors or 2 points in four polls necessary to make September's debate stage.

In most polls on the race, she barely garnered 1 per cent.

But the Democratic senator will continue to campaign against Trump, her campaign said. She will also will raise and invest at least $1 million to elect women this cycle.

'There is dignity and strength in knowing when it's not your time. Moving forward, Kirsten will focus on uniting our party and our country to beat Donald Trump, flip the Senate and elect women up and down the ballot,' her campaign manager Jess Fassler said.

Her campaign admitted it put it all on the line to make the September debate stage - which she fell short in both donations and poll numbers to qualify.

'In the third quarter, the campaign ramped up spending and invested heavily in television in Iowa and New Hampshire, digital advertising, and added nearly 30 field staff in order to build a strong voter contact program,' Fassler noted.

The campaign said it still has $800,000 in its coffers.

Gillibrand told The New York Times she will endorse in the presidential race but would not pick a contender yet - although she hinted it could be a female.

Kirsten Gillibrand said she will endorse a fellow Democrat for the nomination

'I think that women have a unique ability to bring people together and heal this country,' she told the newspaper, adding, 'I think a woman nominee would be inspiring and exciting.'

But she added: 'I will support whoever the nominee is, and I will do whatever it takes to beat Trump.'

Gillibrand's candidacy got lost in the large Democratic field despite her attempts to break out from the pack.

She encouraged supporters to do shots of whiskey with her in order to garner donations, she played pool in bars on the campaign trail, and, in the last Democratic debate, went after front runner Joe Biden.

She criticized the former vice president for supporting a law that bars federal funding for abortion, which Biden later apologized for.

Gillibrand made the second debate in July where she challenged Joe Biden

But she never moved up from the bottom tier of the race.

Gillibrand, who is a leader in the #metoo movement, also said she paid a political price for being a leader in calling on former Senator Al Franken to resign after allegations of sexual misconduct of women.

'We know there were donors who were angry about it and did not support me because of it,' Gillibrand told The Times, adding, 'I wouldn't change what I did, because I would stand with those eight women again today.'

Remaining members of the 2020 field praised Gillibrand.

'My friend @SenGillibrand is a brave voice on some of the most critical issues facing our country today - from childcare to sexual assault. She is a champion and I know she's not done fighting for women and families everywhere,' Kamala Harris tweeted.

'Thank you for all your contributions to the democratic party we hope to build and a well-fought campaign, Senator Gillibrand. I hope we can share some whisky soon,' Tim Ryan wrote on Twitter.

'Thank you, @SenGillibrand, for always fighting for what's right. Every day of this campaign, your leadership brought attention to the issues that matter most-and our party, and our country, are stronger because of it,' Beto O'Rourke wrote.

'Kirsten, you are my sister and one of the most righteous fighters I know. I'll miss our run-ins on the trail, but women, New Yorkers, and all Americans are lucky to have you resolutely at their sides,' Cory Booker tweeted.

'Thank you, @SenGillibrand, for bringing your voice and values to this race. You have been a staunch advocate for women's rights and gender equality, and your leadership in the Senate will continue to inspire people across our country,' Julian Castro wrote.

'Thank you for being part of this race, @SenGillibrand, and for your unwavering commitment to fighting for women-from reproductive rights to paid leave. Your voice has been strong and clear, and your determination is always on display. I'm proud to keep fighting alongside you,' Elizabeth Warren tweeted.

'Congratulations to @SenGillibrand on her campaign to fight for working families across America and make health care a right for all. She is a forceful voice against Donald Trump and all he represents, and I look forward to working with her to defeat him,' Bernie Sanders wrote.