Seth Moulton ends 2020 campaign, says it's 'essentially a 3-way race' now

Seth Moulton is leaving the 2020 race with one big prediction.

The Massachusetts congressman announced Friday he was dropping out of the Democratic primary, following Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper's recent departures. Moulton said he'd seek re-election to his congressional seat next year instead of continuing to run in what he told The Washington Post was "essentially a three-way race" now.

Moulton had several explanations for why his campaign failed to gain traction among a crowded field of candidates. "Getting in late to the race was a handicap, much worse than expected," Moulton told the Post on Thursday, reflecting how he was the 19th Democrat to declare his candidacy. "If I had gotten in even just a few weeks earlier, I probably would have made the first debate," he added.

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At this point, Moulton only sees hope for three remaining candidates in the race: Former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Moulton declined to give a formal endorsement, but told the Post he considers Biden "a mentor and a friend," and warned that "veering too far left could lose us this election." Still, in a speech he's slated to give later today, Moulton pledged to "campaign vigorously for the eventual Democratic nominee."