Hickenlooper Bows Out Of 2020 Race

DES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 10: Democratic presidential candidate and former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper delivers a 20-minute campaign speech at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair ... DES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 10: Democratic presidential candidate and former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper delivers a 20-minute campaign speech at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair August 10, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. Twenty-two of the 23 politicians seeking the Democratic Party presidential nomination will be visiting the fair this week, six months ahead of the all-important Iowa caucuses. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper dropped out of the 2020 presidential race in a video released Thursday afternoon.

Politico was first to report Thursday morning about the expected withdrawal.

In the video, Hickenlooper acknowledged that he imagined a “very different conclusion” when he first announced his bid for the Democratic ticket six months ago and used the drop-out as an opportunity to spell out the sticking points of his platform.

“Don’t tell me that we can’t figure out how to lower prescription drug costs or tackle climate change. Don’t tell me we have to accept the number of gun deaths or the reduced job prospects of too many Americans,” he said.

Hickenlooper was rumored to be mulling a Senate bid in Colorado if he dropped out of the presidential campaign. The former governor addressed those prospects as well.

“People want to know what comes next for me. I’ve heard from so many Coloradans who want me to run for the United States Senate,” he said. “They remind me how much is at stake for our country. And our state. I intend to give that some serious thought.”

The news follows reports last month the the former governor’s campaign team was in disarray and his own top staffers were encouraging him to call it quits. Hickenlooper reportedly said at the time he wanted to give the campaign another month before bowing out.

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  1. The video will reportedly not clarify whether he intends to run for Senate instead.

    Even in this day and age, socialist-bashing can only take one so far.

  2. OK, one down, fifteen or so to go. Hopefully this will open the door for all the <5%'s to head for the exits.

  3. His numbers will shoot up–as people realize that he did the right thing.

  4. Avatar for ANNFFL ANNFFL says:

    Hickenlooper used to say he didn’t like to be in the legislative branch. Hope he won’t be forced to run for senate (or better, hope he’s changed his mind). As Sen. Brown said, you have to really want something to run for it (my paraphrasing).

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