Lincoln Chafee has announced he is dropping out of the Democratic presidential race.

The former Rhode Island Governor told the Democratic National Committee on October 23 he was ending his candidacy for the 2016 election.

The 62-year-old has struggled to raise money and make any impact in the Democratic field, which is led by Hillary Clinton.

Lincoln Chafee has served as a Republican and an Independent but had never before run for office as a Democrat.

Photo AP

At a women’s forum held by the Democratic National Committee, Lincoln Chafee said: “After much thought I have decided to end my campaign for president today.

“But I would like to take this opportunity one last time to advocate for a chance be given to peace.”

Lincoln Chafee was, as he pointed out in the recent Democratic debate, the only Republican to vote against the Iraq War.

After Lincoln Chafee’s departure there are only three Democrats left – former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley.