Tulsi Gabbard drops Democratic presidential bid, backs Joe Biden

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Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has dropped out of the Democratic presidential race, announcing she will support Joe Biden’s bid for the nomination.

“After Tuesday’s election, it’s clear that Democratic Primary voters have chosen Vice President Joe Biden to be the person who will take on President Trump in the general election,” Gabbard said in a video statement posted on her Twitter account.

“So today, I’m suspending my presidential campaign and offering my full support to Vice President Joe Biden in his quest to bring our country together,” she said.

Earlier this month, Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., and a top-tier candidate in the race for the Democratic nomination, also threw his support behind the former vice president after suspending his campaign.

Asked if he was considering a similar move after falling behind Biden in the primaries, Bernie Sanders’ campaign insisted Wednesday that the Vermont senator was reassessing, not dropping out.

“Although I may not agree with the Vice President on every issue, I know that he has a good heart, and he’s motivated by his love for our country and the American people,” Gabbard said. “I’m confident that he will lead our country guided by the spirit of aloha — respect and compassion, and thus help heal the divisiveness that has been tearing our country apart.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.