Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) dropped out of the presidential race Monday, citing a lack of financial resources and exposure from the debates.
In a high-energy video peppered with moments from his speeches and events, he said that he “can’t wait to get back on the campaign trail” to work for other candidates, including the eventual nominee.
Booker did not qualify for the democratic debate in Iowa on Tuesday, and was a vocal critic of the DNC’s metrics.
His campaign, based on positivity and hope with the tagline “we will rise,” failed to take off. He quickly fell behind less experienced candidates like South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg in both polling and financial resources.
His fundraising was so anemic in September that he sent out an emergency plea, an “unvarnished look” at the financial flailing of the campaign.
Watch the video here:
President Donald Trump immediately tweeted out a mocking message.
Really Big Breaking News (Kidding): Booker, who was in zero polling territory, just dropped out of the Democrat Presidential Primary Race. Now I can rest easy tonight. I was sooo concerned that I would someday have to go head to head with him!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 13, 2020
Booker will be a juror at Trump’s upcoming impeachment trial.
Booker’s fellow presidential hopefuls struck a much more supportive tone.
I will miss my friend Cory Booker so much on the campaign trail. We were friends before this started and are even better friends now. The one thing about Cory—he never stops standing up for what is right…so, the best is yet to come! pic.twitter.com/XBv2OYTucv
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 13, 2020
Cory Booker – my friend, my brother. Running alongside you has been one of the joyous parts of this race. You inspire me and millions of other Americans to be better and do better. I will miss seeing you and Rosario on the trail, but not for long. The fight continues. ??? pic.twitter.com/4W7IBGmjFq
— Andrew Yang? (@AndrewYang) January 13, 2020
A good run, but we need you in the Senate. Along with Bernie…
And hopefully a role in the new administration. He’d be great at HUD.
At least now Newark residents trapped in burning buildings have something to look forward to.
That’s how it’s done, folks. Take your licks, and work for the best candidate, whomever they may be. Trump is the ENEMY, not the other candidates in your own party.
Goodbye Cory, you’re a good guy.