Lincoln Chafee Drops Out of Presidential Race

Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


Lincoln Chafee announced on Friday that he is ending his bid for the White House.

“As you know, I have been campaigning on a platform of prosperity through peace,” the former Rhode Island governor and US senator said during a Democratic National Committee event in Washington. “But after much thought, I have decided to end my campaign for president today.”

From the very start, Chafee’s campaign failed to gain traction, both in the polls and in fundraising. Earlier this week, NPR reported that only 10 donors had contributed to his long-shot campaign.

In his speech on Friday, Chafee urged Democrats to fight for peace.

“I would like to take this opportunity one last time to advocate for a chance be given to peace,” he said.

Just three days prior to Chafee’s announcement, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb also said he would no longer be seeking the Democratic nomination, though it remains unclear whether he will mount an independent bid. Martin O’Malley, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders are the only remaining Democratic contenders in the race.

YOUR GIFT DOUBLES THROUGH FRIDAY

Right now, every dollar you give goes twice as far—but only until Friday’s midnight deadline. This is the moment to make your support count double.

In a climate where journalists face mounting pressure to back down, stay silent, or soften their reporting, Mother Jones refuses to flinch. We’re pushing back against intimidation and delivering fierce, independent journalism that holds power accountable—no matter who’s trying to silence us.

But here’s the reality: We’re a nonprofit newsroom with zero corporate backing and no financial cushion. We depend entirely on readers like you to fund the investigations that matter most.

Friday’s 2X match deadline is coming soon. We need you on the team right now. Please chip in and double your impact.

YOUR GIFT DOUBLES THROUGH FRIDAY

Right now, every dollar you give goes twice as far—but only until Friday’s midnight deadline. This is the moment to make your support count double.

In a climate where journalists face mounting pressure to back down, stay silent, or soften their reporting, Mother Jones refuses to flinch. We’re pushing back against intimidation and delivering fierce, independent journalism that holds power accountable—no matter who’s trying to silence us.

But here’s the reality: We’re a nonprofit newsroom with zero corporate backing and no financial cushion. We depend entirely on readers like you to fund the investigations that matter most.

Friday’s 2X match deadline is coming soon. We need you on the team right now. Please chip in and double your impact.

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate