WEBB SAYS HE IS DROPPING OUT OF DEMOCRATIC RACE

Long-shot candidate Jim Webb said Tuesday he is dropping his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination and will explore the possibility of an independent bid.

“Our country is more important than a label,” the former Virginia senator said during a news conference a week after the first Democratic debate of the 2016 election cycle.

Webb, a former Republican who won election to the Senate as a Democrat in 2006, said both parties are too influenced by big money that tends to favor “extremes” and promote gridlock. He said he has agreements and disputes with policies in each party and would be a strong independent voice.

“Our political process is jammed up,” Webb said. “It needs an honest broker.”

— David Jackson