/Julián Castro drops out of presidential race

Julián Castro drops out of presidential race

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro has dropped out of the presidential race, his campaign confirmed to NBC News on Thursday.

Castro was the only Latino candidate running in the Democratic primary, but the former top Obama administration official never saw his poll numbers take off in the crowded field and was edged off the debate stage in recent months after failing to meet fundraising and polling thresholds needed to qualify.

Castro, who also spent five years as mayor of San Antonio, shaped his campaign around a policy agenda that was to the left of many of his Democratic counterparts.

“I’ve determined that it simply isn’t our time,” Castro said in a video message announcing his departure from the race. “Today it’s with a heavy heart, and profound gratitude, that I will suspend my campaign for president.”

“I’m not done fighting,” Castro continued. “I’ll keep working towards a nation where everyone counts, a nation where everyone can get a good job, good health care and a decent place to live.”

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