Rep. Eric Swalwell
Eric Michael SwalwellKey House chairman cautions against remote voting, suggests other options amid coronavirus outbreak House Democrats plead with key committee chairman to allow remote voting amid coronavirus pandemic Congress tiptoes toward remote voting MORE (D-Calif.) dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary on Monday, making him the first major candidate in the crowded 2020 primary field to end a presidential bid.
"We have to be honest about our own candidacy's viability," Swalwell told reporters at a press conference at his campaign headquarters in Dublin, Calif.
"Today ends our presidential campaign, but it is the beginning of an opportunity in Congress with a new perspective shaped by the lives that have touched me and my campaign over the past few months," he continued.
The Hill had reported earlier on Monday that Swalwell planned to put an end to his campaign, citing a source close to him.
The lawmaker had canceled Independence Day events in New Hampshire last week, sparking the initial speculation about his plans.
Nancy PelosiAn insecure America and an assertive China The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Airbnb - House to pass relief bill; Trump moves to get US back to work Overnight Health Care — Presented by PCMA —US now leads world in known coronavirus cases | Unemployment claims soar by over 3 million | House to vote on stimulus Friday | Ventilator shortage sets off scramble MORE (D-Calif.) and a member of the House Intelligence Committee, instead said he will focus on his reelection bid for his fifth term in the lower chamber.He will face progressive Hayward City Council member Aisha Wahab in the fifteenth district’s Democratic primary.
He won his general election race in 2018 easily, with 73 percent of the vote.
A Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted June 29 to July 1 showed Swalwell polling at zero percent among Democratic primary and caucus voters.
Swalwell has yet to announce his fundraising for the second quarter - a key metric that could force other presidential candidates to drop out as well.
“On the issue of gun violence, I am the champion who is saying enough is enough, and that has to be a top priority. We can't just respond to the last mass shooting. I want to challenge our candidates to make it a priority too,” Swalwell told The Hill last month.
The Democratic congressman has also touted his youth as a plus in the Democratic primary and even told former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Airbnb - House to pass relief bill; Trump moves to get US back to work Democratic fears rise again as coronavirus pushes Biden to sidelines Sanders charges forward with 2020 bid despite long odds MORE to "pass the torch" to younger generations during the first Democratic debates last month.
Swalwell's exit would still leave about two dozen Democrats running for the White House, including former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, who has said he's running just to get on the debate stage.
West Virginia state Sen. Richard Ojeda (D) briefly entered the race before bowing out in January.
But the Democratic field could still grow larger, with former Georgia gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams yet to declare her intentions after ruling out a Senate run in 2020.
Meanwhile, Tom Steyer
Tom SteyerProgressive advocates propose T 'green stimulus' plan Candidates want data privacy rules, except for their own campaigns Budowsky: Biden should pull together a 'dream team of rivals' MORE, the billionaire activist who has pushed for President Trump
Donald John TrumpDefense industrial base workers belong at home during this public health crisis Maduro pushes back on DOJ charges, calls Trump 'racist cowboy' House leaders hope to vote Friday on coronavirus stimulus MORE's impeachment, may still enter the race, according to The Atlantic.
-- Updated at 5:07 p.m.
