Former State Sen. Richard Ojeda (D., W.Va.) on Friday announced that he was ending his long-shot presidential bid, telling his supporters that he didn't want to "see people send money to a campaign that’s probably not going to get off the ground."
Ojeda, who led West Virginia's teachers strikes last year, reached the decision to end his presidential bid because he believed that it wasn't winnable He also didn't want to ask his supporters to keep contributing to a campaign he didn't believe he could win, according to a video he recorded and sent to The Intercept
"I don’t want to see people send money to a campaign that’s probably not going to get off the ground," he said.
"The indications were very positive from an overwhelming response to our videos, to thousands of volunteers, and a level of grassroots fundraising support that grew every day," Ojeda added. "However, the last thing I want to do is accept money from people who are struggling for a campaign that does not have the ability to compete."
Ojeda, who launched his presidential bid in November, said he is planning to announce his next career move soon. He initially supported Trump and voted for him, but he turned against him in early 2017. He previously ran for a House seat last year, but lost by 13 points in a district that Trump won by 49 points.
Earlier this month, Ojeda resigned from his state senate seat in order to focus on running for president.