Ex-US governor withdraws from Democratic presidential race

Former governor of US' Rhode Island state, Lincoln Chafee announced his withdrawal from the 2016 Democratic presidential race, the media reported.

"After much thought I have decided to end my campaign for president today," Chafee on Friday announced during a forum organised by the Democratic National Committee, reported EFE.

According to the website RealClearPolitics, Chafee was at 0 percent in the most recent surveys.

Following the steps of his father, the late John Chafee, Lincoln began his political career as a Republican in the US Senate, where he was the only Republican party member member voting against the 2002 resolution that authorised President George W. Bush to invade Iraq.

Chafee governed Rhode Island for two terms as an independent before formally joining the Democratic Party in 2013.

His performance last week at the first televised debate among Democrats seeking the White House was highly criticised, as observers thought Chafee came across as hesitant and insecure.

Chafee's departure followed Tuesday's announcement by former Virginia state senator Jim Webb that he was withdrawing from the battle for the Democratic nominations, though he did not rule out running as an independent in 2016.

The contest on the Democratic side has come down to three candidates: former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who leads in polls; her main challenger, Senator Bernie Sanders and Maryland's former governor Martin O'Malley.

Vice President Joe Biden also said he would not join the contest for the Democratic nomination.