CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Democrat Jeff Jackson announced Thursday that he is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate in 2022.
In his announcement, Jackson, a state senator who represents Mecklenburg County, endorsed former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley.
"We've run a strong, 100 county campaign but everyone needs to know when to step aside," Jackson said on Twitter. "To win in November, we need to unite right now."
Jackson said in a video posted on Twitter that Beasley has consistently led in the polls and staying in the race would only divide Democratic voters.
In her own release, Beasley said this election is "bigger than any one person."
“Senator Jackson brought attention to the issues important to so many North Carolinians, and I know he will continue to do meaningful work in the state Senate,' she said. "I’m grateful to have his support in this race."
Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and Rep. Ted Budd are among the candidates running on the Republican side of the race.
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