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One Dem candidate for president has already dropped out of the 2020 race — here's why
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One Dem candidate for president has already dropped out of the 2020 race — here's why

Announcement comes days after he resigned from West Virginia Senate

Former West Virginia state Sen. Richard Ojeda announced Friday that he will not make a 2020 presidential bid, after all. The announcement came days after he left his seat to focus on his campaign. He submitted his resignation from the Senate on Jan. 14, according to published reports.

What is his reason?

The Democrat and Army veteran said in a Facebook post that he didn't want to accept money from people who are struggling "for a campaign that does not have the ability to compete."

"When I was a kid in grade school, my teachers always said that anyone could grow up and become president," Ojeda said. "Unfortunately, what I'm starting to realize is that unless you have wealth, influence and power, it's not gonna happen."

Ojeda, who voted for Republican Donald Trump in 2016, announced his presidential bid in November. When he lost a congressional race to Republican Carol Miller.

Ojeda's political career included "successful legislation to make medical marijuana legal," Fox News reported. He also had a strong interest in health care and economic issues.

In September 2018 Ojeda made headlines after he allegedly threatening state delegate Rupie Phillips in a Facebook private message that stated: "When I'm done with you, you will beg me to ease up. I'm going to make you famous… and it's not going to be in a good way."

Images of the message were later posted online.

In December, an attack left Ojeda in the hospital with multiple fractures. Ojeda said he believed the attack was politically-motivated.

What are his future plans?

Ojeda has not announced his future plans.

"I expect to have an announcement very soon about what my next steps will be," he wrote on Facebook.

He added: "I want you to know though that my fight does not end! I may not have the money to make the media pay attention but I will continue raising my voice and highlighting the issues the working class, the sick and the elderly face in this nation.

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