The Democratic presidential candidate has officially dropped out of the race for the White House. She is the latest out of five recent candidates to do so. She was unable to meet the qualification for Houston’s next debate.
“After eight incredible months, I’m ending my presidential campaign,” Gillibrand said in a video posted to social media announcing her intentions. “I know this isn’t the result we wanted. We wanted to win this race. But it is important to know when it’s not your time, and to know how you can best serve your community and country.”
“Women in America are on fire,” Gillibrand said in her closing statement during the first Democratic debate. “We’ve marched, we’ve organized, we’ve run for office. We’ve won. But our rights are under attack like never before by President Trump and Republicans who want to repeal Roe v. Wade, which is why I went to the front lines in Georgia to fight for them.”
Gillibrand was appointed to the Senate in 2009 to fill the seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. She was vocal on curbing sexual harassment and promoting equal pay for women and family leave, making those and defending abortion rights the core of her presidential bid.