Marianne Williamson drops out of US presidential race

Former Democratic hopeful says she's more convinced than ever that 'democracy matters'

Marianne Williamson has announced she is suspending her campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

On Friday, the spiritual advisor explained in a letter shared to her website that she would no longer be running for the presidency because “with caucuses and primaries now about to begin, we will not be able to garner enough votes in the election to elevate our conversation any more than it is now”.

“The primaries might be tightly contested among the top contenders, and I don’t want to get in the way of a progressive candidate winning any of them,” Ms Williamson continued.

Despite dropping out, Ms Williamson said she has achieved what she originally set out to do, which was to “help forge another direction for our country”.

“I wanted to discuss things I felt needed to be discussed that otherwise were not,” she said in the farewell letter. “I feel that we have done that.”

Earlier this month, Ms Williamson reportedly laid off her entire campaign staff due to funding issues. At the time, she said that although she “could not afford a traditional campaign staff,” she would not be suspending her candidacy.

“The point of my candidacy has ben to tell the heart’s truth and that does not cost money,” the self-help author said.

Love and emotions have always been at the centre of Ms Williamson’s campaign, with the former presidential hopeful announcing when she launched her bid for presidency in January 2019 that she was going to bring a “moral and spiritual awakening” to the country.

Notable moments during her candidacy included her proposal to create a Department of Peace as well as her policy proposal that at least $100bn in reparations be paid to the descendants of slaves.

One of Ms Williamson’s most controversial views was her position on mandatory vaccinations, which she previously referred to as “Draconian”.

The former candidate ended her letter wishing the remaining Democratic candidates “all my best on the road ahead” and promising to support whoever wins the nomination with “all my energy and in full support”.

There are now just 13 candidates left in the Democratic primary race.

“Finally, these are not times to despair; they are simply times to rise up,” Ms Williamson concluded. “Things are changing swiftly and dramatically in this country, and I have faith that something is awakening among us.

“A politics of conscience is still yet possible. And yes... love will prevail.”