Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday, August 21 that he is dropping out of 2020 Democratic presidential primary race.
“It’s become clear that I’m not gonna be carrying the ball,” Inslee said on ‘The Rachel Maddow Show.” “I’m not gonna be the president, so I’m withdrawing tonight from the race.”
Inslee tweeted the clip, saying, “I know you agree that our mission to defeat climate change must continue to be central to our national discussion — and must be the top priority for our next president. But I’ve concluded that my role in that effort will not be as a candidate to be our next president.”
I know you agree that our mission to defeat climate change must continue to be central to our national discussion — and must be the top priority for our next president. But I’ve concluded that my role in that effort will not be as a candidate to be our next president. pic.twitter.com/Kp8WejuVJy
— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) August 22, 2019
Inslee’s campaign focused on climate change and bringing the issue to the forefront of American politics. In his farewell address on MSNBC, Inslee said his 25-year fight against climate change was not over despite the end of his presidential bid.
Inslee had announced on August 19 that his campaign had reached the required 130,000 unique donors to appear on the September Democratic debate stage. However, his campaign was not polling at or above the required 2 percent. The cutoff date for achieving the polling and donors necessary to appear on the next debate stage in Houston is August 28.
With abysmal polling numbers and a short deadline, it comes as no surprise that Inslee has withdrawn from the race. Nonetheless, if a Democrat were to win the presidential election in 2020, Inslee would seem like a frontrunner choice for a cabinet position such as secretary of Interior or secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Many of the 2020 candidates who have qualified for the Houston debate stage tweeted their support and appreciation for the Inslee campaign and its effects on the climate change conversation.
.@JayInslee brought an important voice to this race, arguing powerfully that climate change damages our health, national security & economy. The people of Washington are fortunate to have a Governor who fights to make their lives better now & to protect our planet for the future.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 22, 2019
Climate change is our greatest existential threat—and there are few people in the world as devoted to fighting it as @JayInslee. Thank you, Governor, for your leadership.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 22, 2019
Governor @JayInslee made the climate crisis the centerpiece of his campaign and our nation is better because of it. Thank you for the bold ideas you brought to this race Governor.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) August 22, 2019
Thank you @jayinslee for advancing the conversation about the urgent threat of climate change—our country is better for it. I know you will continue to be a powerful voice and move the needle on this issue. We'll be right there with you.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 22, 2019