Democratic hopeful Tulsi Gabbard has announced that she will not seek reelection to congress. Gabbard — who has recently been embroiled in controversy, being accused of being a “Russian asset” by Hillary Clinton — declared that while she will not campaign for another term in the House, she remains “fully committed to my offer to serve” in the White House.
“I’m so grateful to the people of Hawaii for allowing me to serve you in Congress for the last 7 years. Throughout my life, I’ve always made my decisions based on where I felt I could do the most good,” Gabbard wrote in a series of tweets that included a video message and a link to a lengthy statement.
“In light of the challenges we face, I believe I can … best serve the people of Hawaii and our country as President and Commander-in-Chief,” she added.
Gabbard, 38, an Iraq war vet and a major in the US Army National Guard, was facing a primary bid from Hawaii state Sen. Kai Kahele, who thanked the congresswoman for her service, while saying her presidential bid had left her district “without a voice in Washington,” according to The New York Post.
“Since announcing her Presidential candidacy in January 2019, Congresswoman Gabbard has worked hard visiting towns and cities across the United States,” Kahele said in a statement shortly after Gabbard’s announcement.
“This dedication, while worthy of admiration, meant that her congressional district was often left without a voice in Washington, D.C. I wholly respect and appreciate the Congresswoman’s decision not to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives as she pursues the Presidency. I thank her for her service, and I wish her and her family the best going forward.”
Gabbard has served seven years in the House and is among five women seeking the Democratic nomination to face President Trump in 2020, along with 13 other hopefuls.
Tulsi Gabbard is easily the most impressive candidate in a distinctly unimpressive Democratic field.