CLEVELAND -– Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich told The Plain Dealer's editorial board Thursday that he is dropping out of the presidential race.
Kucinich told the newspaper that he will hold a news conference Friday to discuss his decision to abandon his second bid for the White House and that he wants to continue serving as a U.S. House member.
"I will be announcing that I'm transiting out of the presidential campaign," Kucinich said. "I'm making that announcement tomorrow about a new direction."
He said he will not endorse another Democrat in the presidential primary.
Kucinich, 61, has received little support in his second long-shot run for the presidency. He registers in low single digits in polls and had raised little money. He got 1 percent of the vote in the New Hampshire primary and was shut out in the Iowa caucuses.
Kucinich is facing four challengers in the March 4 Democratic congressional primary in his northeast Ohio district. Opponent Joe Cimperman has been critical of Kucinich for focusing too much time outside the district while campaigning for president.
Kucinich, former mayor of Cleveland, made an urgent appeal on his Web site earlier this week for funding for his congressional campaign.
Kucinich is a six-term, liberal congressman whose presidential candidacy made headlines for his fight with NBC Universal Inc. to participate in the Nevada debate. He also fought with the Texas Democratic Party over a loyalty oath all candidates must sign to make the ballot.
He was making his second bid for his party's nomination. He also sought the nod in 2004, ending that campaign just days before endorsing Democratic nominee John Kerry at the party's convention.
Kucinich has attracted a devoted following, including many Hollywood celebrities.
His decision comes a month after his youngest brother, Perry Kucinich, was found dead.
Kucinich's presidential proposals have included a national peace department, canceling free trade policies he says hurt American jobs and a single-payer, universal health care system.
He won re-election to his House seat in 2006 with 66 percent of the vote. He based his campaign on job creation and criticizing rising gas prices.
He was elected mayor of Cleveland in 1977 at age 31, becoming the youngest leader of a major American city. He also became the mayor of the first city since the Great Depression to go into default. Kucinich refused to sell the city's municipal electrical system, so local banks foreclosed on the city.
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