Bernie Sanders ends presidential bid, paving way for Biden-Trump showdown
- US senator said he would not remain in unwinnable campaign that would ‘interfere’ with important anti-coronavirus work
- Sanders had mounted formidable 2020 bid, climbing to front runner position before being eclipsed by a resurgent Biden
US Senator Bernie Sanders suspended his presidential campaign on Wednesday, clearing the way for rival Joe Biden to secure the Democratic nomination and challenge Donald Trump in November.
The feisty 78-year-old democratic socialist shook up the 2020 race with his relentless pursuit of “economic justice” for all Americans and a demand for universal health care.
But he acknowledged his campaign fell short, as party voters determined Biden would be a stronger candidate to go up against Trump in the general election.
“I have concluded that this battle for the Democratic nomination will not be successful,” Sanders told supporters in a live stream from his home, where he has remained for the bulk of the coronavirus pandemic that put all in-person campaigning on hold.
“Vice-president Biden will be the nominee,” he said, adding that he congratulated Biden, “a very decent man, who I will work with to move our progressive ideas forward.”