Former Democratic presidential candidate Jim Webb on Thursday afternoon closed the door on potentially re-entering the 2016 White House race as an independent.
“I’ve worked with both parties, including as an official in the Reagan administration and as a Democrat in the Senate. Both parties, in my view, have moved away from the major concerns of the average American,” Webb said in statement.
{mosads}”We looked at the possibility of an independent candidacy. Theoretically it could be done, but it is enormously costly and time sensitive, and I don’t see the fundraising trajectory where we could make a realistic run,” the former Virginia senator added.
Speculation had risen that Webb may re-enter the race, starting with a speech at the World Affairs Council on Thursday afternoon. He hinted at potentially launching an independent bid when he dropped out of the Democratic race in mid-October.
Supporters have cast votes in two states, Iowa and New Hampshire, so far this month, with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders battling on the Democratic side and Donald Trump battling several rivals in the Republican race.