Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) ended his presidential run on Monday, explaining in a statement that ‘while there were many obstacles we could not have anticipated when entering this race, it has become clear that in this moment, I won’t be able to break through to the top tier of this still-crowded field.’ Bullock had some success when he jumped in the Democratic presidential race in May, raising $2 million in his first six weeks and qualifying for the July debate. But his candidacy, premised on his ability to win red states without sacrificing progressive ideas, captured attention while never quite catching fire.
Bullock also affirmed Monday that he will not run for Senate, despite appeals from national Democrats to challenge Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). ‘While he plans to work hard to elect Democrats in the state and across the country in 2020, it will be in his capacity as a governor and a senior voice in the Democratic Party â not as a candidate for U.S. Senate,’ communications director Galia Slayen told The Washington Post.
Bullock, 53, is the latest Democratic governor to bow out of the race, following Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who is running for Senate, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who opted to seek a third term. Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who just announced his candidacy, is now the only Democrat in the race with gubernatorial experience. Peter Weber