Julián Castro Drops Out of the Presidential Race

Julián Castro has dropped out of the race for president. The former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development made the announcement on Twitter on Thursday, becoming the first candidate to leave the race this year. His announcement comes just weeks before the Iowa Caucuses.

“It’s with profound gratitude to all of our supporters that I suspend my campaign for president today,” Castro said.

It’s with profound gratitude to all of our supporters that I suspend my campaign for president today.

I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. I’m going to keep fighting for an America where everyone counts—I hope you’ll join me in that fight. pic.twitter.com/jXQLJa3AdC

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) January 2, 2020

“I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. I’m going to keep fighting for an America where everyone counts—I hope you’ll join me in that fight,” he wrote, accompanying his tweet with a video.

Castro was the only Latino in the Democratic race and although there was some initial buzz about him, he never gained the kind of traction that his higher profile rivals achieved. Castro has dropped out following the 2019 fourth quarter fundraising period, which showed strong numbers for Senator Bernie Sanders and Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

It remains to be seen whether Castro will endorse any of the candidates or if he will wait until the nomination has been decided before throwing his weight behind the party’s choice.