ST. PAUL, Minn. - Former St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman is withdrawing from the race for governor, he announced on Monday.
“The 2018 DFL field for governor is very strong," he wrote in a statement released Monday. "As the candidates continue to campaign, I encourage each of you to stay true to our shared progressive values: good jobs for working families, universal health care and a retirement that we can all depend on."
Coleman came in fourth among DFL candidates in a straw poll taken during last week's caucuses, behind Tim Walz, Rebecca Otto and Erin Murphy, respectively.
Coleman served for 12 years as mayor of St. Paul.
“We have an opportunity in 2018 to establish a DFL majority in the state legislature and elect a governor who will continue to advance the cause of progress for all Minnesotans," he said in his statement. "Though I hoped to be that governor, rest assured that I will be right there with you, working to make sure that we make the most of this opportunity."
