Tulsi Gabbard Announces She Will Not Seek Reelection to Congress Sparking More Rumors of 3rd Party Run
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) released a long-winded video on Friday announcing that she will not be seeking reelection to the House of Representatives in 2020. Gabbard has served in the House as a representative of Hawaii since 2012.
Today I’m officially announcing that I will not be seeking reelection to Congress in 2020. Throughout my life, I’ve always made my decisions based on where I felt I could do the most good. In light of the challenges we face, I believe I can … pic.twitter.com/F0StYoA66n
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) October 25, 2019
This announcement adds fuel to the speculation that the Democratic long-shot for President is getting ready to run without the Democratic nomination as a 3rd party candidate. She is unlikely to win the Democratic nomination as she is currently polling anywhere from 6th to last in the 11-person Democratic candidate field.
Last week, Hillary Clinton was among the first to suggest Gabbard could try for an independent run for the presidency. Clinton called her a “Russian asset” and suggested that she may be a double agent who Russia is encouraging to run to take votes away from whomever wins the Democratic nomination.
Jill Stein, who ran under the Green Party mantle in the 2016 election, was also singled out by Clinton as a “Russian asset” as the former Secretary of State and 2-time losing Presidential campaigner continues to blame everyone but herself and her campaign for her 2016 loss. Stein took to twitter on Monday to blast Clinton as “an unhinged conspiracy theory divorced from reality.”
HRC calling me a "Russian asset" - or Tulsi Gabbard, or anyone who dissents from DNC dogma - is an unhinged conspiracy theory divorced from reality. Instead of slandering people as traitors, we need #RankedChoiceVoting to open up our political system to real debate & real choice. pic.twitter.com/CVo728AevX
— Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) October 21, 2019
These allegations, coupled with the fact that she is the lease left wing candidate in the Democratic field have sparked outrage from Democrats who are questioning her motives and her political affiliation.
Tulsi Gabbard is garbage. I was right before. I’m right now. She is nothing more than a MAGA asshole. Don’t ever call her a Democrat. https://t.co/D4u6Mmvwun
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) October 25, 2019
I say again, Tulsi Gabbard is not right. Listen to the way she attacks mainstream Democrats and covers for Trump’s abuses. Ask yourself, what is her purpose? https://t.co/fl63IdwpXT
— Evan McMullin (@EvanMcMullin) October 25, 2019