Senator Bernie Sanders is suspending his campaign for president, after falling behind former Vice President Joe Biden in recent primary contests.
He announced his decision to campaign staff Wednesday.
“I wish I could give you better news, but I think you know the truth,” Sanders told supporters Wednesday morning in a live stream address, saying “the path towards victory is virtually impossible.”
“I have concluded that this battle for the Democratic nomination will be unsuccessful,” Sanders continued, calling it a “difficult and painful decision.”
Sanders alluded to the coronavirus pandemic, saying that continuing his campaign would”interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour.” Sanders said that the virus “has exposed for all to see how absurd our current employer-based health insurance system is.”
However, Sanders emphasized that he would not stop fighting for political change.
“While this campaign is coming to an end, our movement is not,” Sanders said. He congratulated Biden, calling him a “decent man,” but said that he would remain on the ballot in upcoming primaries. Sanders said that he would continue to rack up delegates so that his supporters, and his priorities, would have a strong presence in the Democratic convention and be able to influence the party platform.
Sanders thanked his supporters for making a “profound impact in changing our nation.”
“Together we have transformed the American consciousness as to what kind of nation we can become,” Sanders said. He argued that ideas such as Medicare for All and raising the minimum wage had gained traction in mainstream Democratic politics, proving “our movement has won the ideological struggle.”
Sanders adopted a sad but positive tone as he informed his staff, according to an aide on the call.
“The struggle goes on. This was never about Bernie Sanders, this was always about the movement,” the aide said.
