UNITED STATES—Former Congressman, Beto O’Rourke, 47, dropped out of the 2020 presidential race in an announcement he made at an event in Iowa on Friday, November 1.

O’Rourke, a three-term former United States Congressman from El Paso, Texas, entered the 2020 presidential race back in the middle of March, where he started off strong, but later struggled in the polls.

He raised a record $6.1 million in the first 24 hours of his campaign, but afterwards raised less funds. O’Rourke was known for refusing monies from PAC (Political Action Committee) for his presidential campaign. He relied solely on grassroots organization and support in addition to some private fundraisers.

O’Rourke made headlines during a debate after the August 3 mass shooting in El Paso that left 22 people dead stating: 

“Hell yes, we’re going to take away your guns!”

The politician was open about his plan to change federal gun-control policies, including his idea that would require assault-type weapon owners to surrender their weapons to the government if a law was passed. 

During his event in Iowa, O’Rourke issued the following statement:

“Though it is difficult to accept, it is clear to me now that this campaign does not have the means to move forward successfully. This a campaign that has prided itself on seeing things clearly and speaking honestly and acting decisively. We have to clearly see at this point that we do not have the means to pursue this campaign successfully and my service will not be as a candidate nor as the nominee for this party for the presidency.”

He plans to support the elected Democratic nominee and encouraged his supporters to do the same. He plans to keep advocating for the same causes he brought to the debates, including gun control, climate change, and structural racism.

President Trump took to his Twitter account regarding the former congressman’s resignation stating:

“Oh no, Beto just dropped out of race for President despite him saying he was ‘born for this.’ I don’t think so!”

O’Rourke indicated that he is not planning to run as a candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas in 2020.