US ex-Congressman Delaney withdraws from presidential race

The decision came days before the Iowa caucuses next week, which will formally kick off the presidential nominating calendar, Xinhua reported.

"This decision is informed by internal analyses indicating John's support is not sufficient to meet the 15 per cent viability in a material number of caucus precincts, but sufficient enough to cause other moderate candidates to not to make the viability threshold," Delaney's campaign said in a statement.

Delaney, 56, tweeted that he's leaving the race "with a profound sense of gratitude to voters," in admiration for the other contenders for the nomination.

The US Representative for Maryland's 6th congressional district from 2013 to 2019, Delaney announced his presidential bid in July 2017.

Delaney's exit shrank the Democratic primary field to 11 candidates.