O’Malley ends White House bid

Martin O’Malley suspended his presidential campaign Monday night after a poor showing in Iowa.

{mosads}The former Maryland governor announced he was dropping out of the Democratic race at his caucus party at Wooly’s in Des Moines, Iowa.

“In conclusion, there is no conclusion. This fight continues, but look, we fought very, very hard in order to give the people a choice, and the people have made their choice tonight,” O’Malley said.

“We have driven this debate and so tonight, I have to tell you that I am suspending this presidential bid, but I am not ending this fight.”

With most Iowa precincts reporting, O’Malley had won less than 1 percent of the state’s delegates and failed to reach viability as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders battled in a close race.

O’Malley failed to gain traction as the anti-Clinton candidate and registered in the single digits in polls both nationally and in early-voting states.

The former governor also lagged in fundraising and in mid-November decided to accept public funding for his presidential bid.

O’Malley vowed in his speech that he will continue to push for immigration reform, pay equity, a higher minimum wage and policies to address climate change despite no longer being a candidate.

“Our country is worth saving. The American dream is worth saving. And this planet is worth saving,” he said. “So as we march forward to the fall, let us all resolve together that the love, the generosity, the compassion and the commitment of this campaign will continue to point our country forward.”

The Democratic National Committee issued a statement following O’Malley’s speech.

“As Mayor of Baltimore and Governor of Maryland, O’Malley fought tirelessly for the people he represented, successfully leading the way through crisis, unrest and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression,” DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said. “And although he is suspending his campaign, I know the Democratic Party will continue to rely on his experience and talents in our unified fight for a better future.”

This story was updated at 11:34 p.m.