• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
PoliticsU.S. Politics

These Are the Democratic Candidates Who Have Dropped Out of the 2020 Presidential Race—So Far

By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 23, 2019, 10:28 AM ET

Update: As of Jan. 14, 2019, these are the candidates who have dropped out of the 2020 presidential race: Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Marianne Williamson, Julián Castro, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, Joe Sestak, Gov. Mark Sanford, Beto O’Rourke, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.).


Below is the original story posted on Aug. 23, 2019.

And then there were 20.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand became the latest casualty of the race for the Democratic nomination for president on Wednesday, posting on Twitter, “I think it’s important to know how you can best serve.”

Gillibrand didn’t qualify for the September debate in Houston due to low polling numbers and campaign donors.

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.

To our supporters: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Now, let's go beat Donald Trump and win back the Senate. pic.twitter.com/xM5NGfgFGT

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) August 28, 2019

Rep. Seth Moulton announced his decision to end his 2020 campaign in San Francisco at the DNC’s summer meeting last week, noting that “though this campaign is not ending the way we hoped, I am leaving this race knowing that we raised issues that are vitally important.”

He was one of just three candidates who did not manage to qualify for the first debate and one of five who didn’t make it to the second debate. He reportedly plans to seek re-election for the seat in the House he currently holds. 

California Rep. Eric Swalwell was the first major candidate to suspend his campaign, announcing his decision in early July. Swalwell similarly plans to seek a fifth term representing his Northern California district. 

Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee both announced their own decision to bow out of the race in recent days. While Inslee will seek re-election to the Washington Governor’s mansion, Hickenlooper has decided to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for a Republican-held Senate seat in Colorado.

With Hickenlooper and Inslee’s departures, Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana is the only governor still running for president. He is unlikely to qualify for the next debate, but has not indicated whether he is considering dropping out of the race.

Less than half of the remaining candidates have qualified for the third debate. Two others are close to meeting the criteria: new entry Tom Steyer and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. With the August 28 deadline to qualify fast approaching, more candidates may decide in the coming days and weeks to cut their losses and suspend their campaigns.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—Will gaffes hurt Biden’s chances of a 2020 win? Strategists are divided
—These are the 2020 senate races to watch
—What is BDS? Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions explained
—When does Congress reconvene? August recess, explained
—Trump thinks he is winning the trade war, but the data tell a different story
Get up to speed on your morning commute with Fortune’s CEO Daily newsletter.

About the Author
By Natasha Bach
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

PoliticsFBI
Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who led agency after 9/11 and investigated Russia-Trump campaign ties, dies at 81
By Eric Tucker and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
35 minutes ago
Middle EastIran
Iran launches missiles at U.K.-U.S. base 2,500 miles away in the Indian Ocean, indicating Tehran has weapons with much longer range than once thought
By Samy Magdy, Sam Mednick and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
5 hours ago
Middle EastIran
A 19-year-old star wrestler and two other young men were hanged in Iran as regime continues with executions and crackdown on dissent during war
By Lee Keath, Julia Frankel, Sarah El Deeb and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
5 hours ago
PoliticsColombia
DEA names Colombian president ‘priority target’ as U.S. prosecutors probe ties to drug traffickers
By Jim Mustian, Joshua Goodman, Alanna Durkin Richer and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
5 hours ago
Middle EastIran
The U.S. is deploying 3 more amphibious assault ships and 2,500 additional Marines to the Mideast, joining more than 50,000 troops already there
By Jon Gambrell, Michelle L. Price, Julie Watson and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
5 hours ago
PoliticsTSA
TSA officers are quitting rather than working without pay during another shutdown as eviction notices, car repos, and empty fridges weigh
By Rio Yamat and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
5 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.