Joe Sestak drops out of the Democratic presidential race. 17 candidates are still running.

Joe Sestak quits Democratic presidential race

(Image credit: David Becker/Getty Images)

published 2 December 2019

You may not have been aware that Joe Sestak, a retired three-star admiral and former congressman from Pennsylvania, was running for president as a Democrat. Well, as of Sunday, he isn't anymore.

Since launching his "long-shot bid" in July, "Sestak struggled to gain name recognition, was left with zero percent support in most polling, and had not qualified for any of the Democratic debates," Politico notes. "He said in his statement on Sunday that without the 'privilege of national press,' he could no longer ask people to sacrifice resources for his campaign." There are now 17 Democrats vying for the nomination and two months before the first votes are cast.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.