Swalwell becomes first Democrat to drop out of 2020 race

Washington: California Rep Eric Swalwell became the first Democrat to drop out of a crowded field of candidates looking to take on US President Donald Trump next year.

The four-term congressman focused his bid on the need for gun control reform and the need for generational change within the Democratic party.

In a release to the media announcing the end of his campaign, Swalwell said, "I ran for president to win and make a difference in our great country- a difference on issues of the future such as finding cures for our deadliest and most debilitating diseases, taking on the student loan debt crisis, and ending gun violence.

"I promised my family, constituents, and supporters that I would always be honest about our chances. After the first Democratic presidential debate, our polling and fundraising numbers weren't what we had hoped for, and I no longer see a path forward to the nomination."

Swalwell promised to take the lessons he learned back to Congress.

"I'll never forget the people I met and lessons I learned while travelling around our great nation- especially in the communities most affected by gun violence," he added. "Too many communities feel this pain. But in every community's grief, I see people who love one another and have inside themselves the grit to get things done to end gun violence once and for all."

He was praised by former Vice President and Democratic front runner Joe Biden, who called his campaign 'passionate'.

"The Democratic Party is lucky to have leaders like Eric, and I look forward to continuing to work with him on the pressing issues facing Americans."

More than two dozen candidates remain in the Democratic race.