Author and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson dropped out of the 2020 Democratic presidential race Friday, outlasting such candidates as Beto O'Rourke and Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.).
Williamson, a non-factor in polling who had failed to qualify for a debate since July, announced her decision to withdraw in a letter to supporters, saying she believed "love will prevail."
A politics of conscience is still yet possible. And yes….love will prevail.https://t.co/BqTKQFI338
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) January 10, 2020
In her longshot bid for the nomination, the eclectic candidate outlasted O'Rourke—who quit Nov. 1—by 70 days. She outlasted Harris—who ended her campaign Dec. 3—by 38 days. Williamson is the 15th Democrat to drop out of the race.
Williamson has never held office, but her self-help books and lectures had a large following. She met the polling and fundraising thresholds for the first Democratic debate earlier than seasoned lawmakers like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.).
She drew attention for oddball moments during debates. She said her first call as president would be to New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern to challenge Ardern's promise to make her country the best place in the world for a child to grow up.
"I would tell her: 'Girlfriend, you are so on, because the United States of America is going to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up,'" Williamson said.
Williamson further set herself apart by saying the other candidates' policy proposals were not going to be enough to defeat President Donald Trump.
"If you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in the country, then I'm afraid Democrats are going to see some very dark days," she said in July.
Williamson also drew criticism for receiving advice from an anti-vaccination attorney, and for falling for an online hoax claiming that Trump had pardoned deceased murderer Charles Manson.