Washington Governor Jay Inslee drops out of 2020 presidential race
/ CBS/AP
Washington Governor Jay Inslee, who made fighting climate change the central theme of his presidential campaign, announced Wednesday night that he is ending his bid for the 2020 Democratic nomination. Inslee announced his decision on MSNBC, saying it's become clear that he won't win. He has kept the option of running for a third term as governor open throughout his presidential campaign, but didn't immediately say what his political plans were.
"This is sort of the book ends of my campaign," Inslee said on MSNBC. "We started seeing that climate change had to be the number one job of the United States. I felt very good saying that the first days of my campaign. I feel very good saying that now. And the reason is this is has just become more urgent — a billion tons of ice melted in Greenland uh the other day. But we also have had so many people that I have met who are inspiring, who want us to act, who have helped me. We have had 130,000 people help me in this campaign."
"But it has become clear that I am not going to be carrying the ball, I am not going to be the president, so I'm withdrawing tonight from the race," he added.
Inslee, 68, became the third Democrat to end his presidential bid after U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California pulled out of the primary last month followed by former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper last week.
Jay Inslee More
More in Jay Inslee
While Inslee had qualified for the first two presidential debates this summer, he struggled to gain traction in the crowded Democratic field and was falling short of the requirements needed to appear on two high-profile stages next month: the third DNC debate in Houston and a CNN town hall focused on climate change, Inslee's key issue.
He had recently hit one of the markers — 130,000 unique donors. But he had yet to reach 2% in any poll and would have needed to hit that level of support in four qualifying polls.
This is a developing story. Please check back for latest updates.
First published on August 21, 2019 / 9:32 PM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Study raises concerns about microplastics in drinking water
"If you ask somebody whether they'd like their water with or without plastic, I doubt you'd get any answer other than, 'hold the plastic, please!'"
1H ago 
Black hole possibly swallowed neutron star, causing ripples in space
The cosmic collision could be the first example of a black hole colliding with a neutron star — possibly offering new insights into the expansion of the universe
2H ago 
Rapidly decaying Titanic could disappear in decades
Explorers on the first manned voyage in nearly 15 years were astonished by the famous ship's rapid decay
2H ago 
U.S. athletes punished for protesting at Pan American Games
Fencer Race Imboden kneeled on the medal stand and hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist during the national anthem and both face 12-month probation
4H ago 
Spacewalk installs key upgrade to station
The new port will allow two U.S. commercial crew ships to dock at the space station at the same time
6H ago 
Washington Governor Jay Inslee drops out of 2020 presidential race
The 2020 candidate, who made fighting climate change a central theme of his campaign, made the announcement Wednesday night
7M ago 
Sean Spicer joins "Dancing with the Stars" cast
ABC's hit show "Dancing with the Stars" is about to get a lot spicier in its 28th season
54M ago 
Reported illness among vapers reaches 150 possible cases
Health officials are now looking into more than 150 possible cases in 16 states
1H ago 
Wisdom teeth removal contributes to opioid crisis, experts warn
Many who have their wisdom teeth removed are prescribed opioid painkillers – but there may be a better, safer option
2H ago 
One state might have a solution to the staffing crisis in prisons
As states grapple with how to retain those willing to enter the profession, one official thinks he's found a way to make working behind bars more attractive
2H ago
Washington Governor Jay Inslee drops out of 2020 presidential race
The 2020 candidate, who made fighting climate change a central theme of his campaign, made the announcement Wednesday night
7M ago 
Trump administration unveils rule to detain migrant families longer
The White House hopes to upend a landmark court settlement that has governed the care of migrant children in U.S. custody for two decades
2H ago 
The Fed says trade is main reason U.S. economy is slowing
While President Trump blasts Jerome Powell for slowdown, Fed officials put the blame squarely on trade tensions
2H ago 
Trump naysayers want to see what the mood is in New Hampshire
John Kasich is planning a visit to New Hampshire next month, and Mark Sanford has also made a trip to the state
3H ago 
2020 Daily Trail Markers: Kasich plans New Hampshire trip
And Mark Sanford, who's considering a White House run, told CBS. "If you look at a state like New Hampshire, there certainly is historic precedent for somebody getting in during this window of time"
3H ago
Sean Spicer joins "Dancing with the Stars" cast
ABC's hit show "Dancing with the Stars" is about to get a lot spicier in its 28th season
54M ago 
Woodstock at 50, in the words, and music, of those who were there
A half-century after a mass of humanity converged on a farm in Bethel, N.Y. for three days of peace and music, musicians and concert-goers recall a unique moment for their generation
Aug 4 
The Obamas' first film, "American Factory," debuts on Netflix
Documentary explores impact of globalization, centering on a closed Ohio plant that reopens under Chinese management
4H ago 
Rescue pup to star in "Lady and the Tramp" remake
Just last year, Monte was living in a shelter – now he's on the road to fame
7H ago 
Revitalizing a Detroit neighborhood with objects left behind
The Heidelberg Project now attracts an estimated 200,000 visitors a year
8H ago 
Instagram says there's "no truth" to new hoax post, so don't share it
The fake notice has already fooled many of your friends and many celebrities
6H ago 
Facebook will let users see how company tracks them
Users will be able to disconnect their account from data Facebook gathers elsewhere on the web—after a wait period
3H ago 
More than 20 Texas local governments hit by ransomware attack
Cyberattack typically spreads through malicious links in emails and has crippled a string of cities in recent years
5H ago 
Proposed laws could change how consumers get smartphones repaired
Twenty states are considering so-called "Right to Repair" bills to allow electronics to be fixed without jeopardizing quality or voiding warranties
Aug 19 
Coming soon to Netflix: Movie trailers crafted by AI
Streaming giant is investing in tech that can automate part of the trailer-making process for its massive library
Aug 19
Study raises concerns about microplastics in drinking water
"If you ask somebody whether they'd like their water with or without plastic, I doubt you'd get any answer other than, 'hold the plastic, please!'"
1H ago
Black hole possibly swallowed neutron star, causing ripples in space
The cosmic collision could be the first example of a black hole colliding with a neutron star — possibly offering new insights into the expansion of the universe
2H ago
Rapidly decaying Titanic could disappear in decades
Explorers on the first manned voyage in nearly 15 years were astonished by the famous ship's rapid decay
2H ago 
Louisiana island may soon be lost to rising waters
Rising sea levels and the intrusion of salt water from the Gulf of Mexico have destroyed much of the island's natural protective barrier
2H ago 
Smoke plumes from Amazon rainforest fires spotted from space
The sky in Sao Paulo, Brazil, went dark Monday due to the smoke carried in from nearly 1,700 miles away
3H ago
Reported illness among vapers reaches 150 possible cases
Health officials are now looking into more than 150 possible cases in 16 states
1H ago
Study raises concerns about microplastics in drinking water
"If you ask somebody whether they'd like their water with or without plastic, I doubt you'd get any answer other than, 'hold the plastic, please!'"
1H ago
Wisdom teeth removal contributes to opioid crisis, experts warn
Many who have their wisdom teeth removed are prescribed opioid painkillers – but there may be a better, safer option
2H ago 
Veteran's widow speaks out after former VA doctor charged in deaths
Wife of retired Army Sergeant Michael McCoy says he knew the Veterans Affairs "had failed him"
1H ago 
How much a family with good health insurance spent last year
Employee health care costs have risen twice as fast as wages—those with coverage pay thousands of dollars more
14H ago
How much a family with good health insurance spent last year
Employee health care costs have risen twice as fast as wages—those with coverage pay thousands of dollars more
14H ago 
Why Trump's payroll tax cut wouldn't do much for the economy
As the White House vacillates over another another tax cut, economists of all political stripes say: Don't bother
Aug 20
The Fed says trade is main reason U.S. economy is slowing
While President Trump blasts Jerome Powell for slowdown, Fed officials put the blame squarely on trade tensions
2H ago
The Obamas' first film, "American Factory," debuts on Netflix
Documentary explores impact of globalization, centering on a closed Ohio plant that reopens under Chinese management
4H ago 
Why U.S. Steel, a showcase for Trump, is laying off workers
Donald Trump has touted his steel tariffs as bolstering U.S. Steel, but market stagnation is hurting demand
Aug 20 
Crime
Former VA doctor charged in 3 deaths
The indictment of a former doctor at a veterans hospital in Arkansas is sending shock waves through the nation's largest healthcare system. Dr. Robert Levy is accused of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of three patients and he could be responsible for the deaths of more than a dozen others. Omar Villafranca has one widow's story.
1H ago 01:58 
America's deadliest mass shootings
These are the deadliest mass shootings in American history
Aug 5 40 photos
One state might have a solution to the staffing crisis in prisons
As states grapple with how to retain those willing to enter the profession, one official thinks he's found a way to make working behind bars more attractive
2H ago 
Man caught with guns and extremist material after car accident in N.J.
Authorities in New Jersey found more than a dozen guns, a grenade launcher and items with white supremacist symbols
2H ago
Veteran's widow speaks out after former VA doctor charged in deaths
Wife of retired Army Sergeant Michael McCoy says he knew the Veterans Affairs "had failed him"
1H ago
Black hole possibly swallowed neutron star, causing ripples in space
The cosmic collision could be the first example of a black hole colliding with a neutron star — possibly offering new insights into the expansion of the universe
2H ago
Spacewalk installs key upgrade to station
The new port will allow two U.S. commercial crew ships to dock at the space station at the same time
6H ago 
NASA's step forward in new moon plan
NASA has moved a step closer in resuming human space missions since the program was shuttered in 2011. CBS News' Marc Liverman reports from Huntsville, Alabama, where NASA announced it will manage the building of the new human lunar lander.
Aug 18 01:49 
NASA picks Alabama space center for moon lander program
The lander is a critical element in NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon in 2024
Aug 16 
Milky Way black hole emits mysterious light flare
Scientists spot a flare of light coming from a black hole in the Milky Way. Syracuse University physics professor Duncan Brown explains to CBSN how the mysterious event may have occurred.
Aug 15 06:27 
Jason Corbett murder: A look at the evidence
In August 2015, former FBI agent Tom Martens and his daughter Molly Corbett admitted killing her Irish-born husband Jason Corbett, insisting they beat him in self-defense with a brick paver and a baseball bat because Jason was choking Molly and threatening to kill her
Aug 17 11 photos 
Michael Gargiulo case: Stabbing deaths of three women linked to suspected serial killer
Investigators link murders of Tricia Pacaccio, Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno to same suspect: Michael Gargiulo
Aug 15 13 photos 
The worst movies of 2019
The worst films of the year star big name actors, including Keanu Reeves, Anne Hathaway, and Chris Hemsworth.
Aug 9 51 photos 
The Oddities & Curiosities Expo
A traveling exhibition of gothic and occult art, sideshow performers, and bizarre specimens stopped outside Chicago, where CBS News photographer Jake Barlow took in the odd sights
Jul 22 24 photos 
New York's Central Park
America's first major landscaped public park, the 840-acre park in Manhattan welcomes more than 37 million visitors every year
Jul 21 25 photos 
Popular
Local Texas governments hit by ransomware attacks
More than a dozen local governments in Texas have been hit by ransomware attacks. They're being called the largest coordinated attacks on cities and come amid a rise in attacks against businesses and governments. Wired staff writer Lily Hay Newman joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano to discuss what kind of damage these attacks cause and why we're seeing more of them.
updated 12M ago 06:43
Former VA doctor charged in 3 deaths
The indictment of a former doctor at a veterans hospital in Arkansas is sending shock waves through the nation's largest healthcare system. Dr. Robert Levy is accused of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of three patients and he could be responsible for the deaths of more than a dozen others. Omar Villafranca has one widow's story.
1H ago 01:58 
Titanic could disappear in decades
Time and tides have been unkind to the Titanic. Explorers on the first manned voyage in nearly 15 years were astonished to find its rapid decay. Charlie D'Agata explains.
1H ago 01:35 
A climate reckoning in the heartland
A historic flood in March 2019 left much of America's heartland under water. Grain farmers already struggling to bounce back from the Chinese trade war must now grapple with the realities of climate change that threaten to change the future of farming forever. Now, some farmers are implementing practices that could potentially reverse the effects of climate change – and provide a bigger profit. In this CBSN Originals documentary, Adam Yamaguchi travels to Nebraska, where he meets two farmers on different paths, both determined to pass their legacies on to the next generation.
Jul 26 23:07 
Video shows students giving Nazi salute
A California school district is reopening an investigation after video surfaced of students giving a Nazi salute. Parents are furious officials kept the incident quiet. Carter Evans reports.
1H ago 01:59
