David Bertschi drops out of federal Liberal leadership race, 6 remain

Long-shot contender David Bertschi has dropped out the Liberal leadership race.

At a sparsely attended press conference in Ottawa on Thursday morning, he said he was quitting now simply because he didn't have the support to win.

"Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, my family's, my supporters'...our team, we have not reached the critical mass needed before the debates in Montreal this weekend," he said.

"For me it was a very long discussion with a number of advisers, looking at the numbers, looking at how I can contribute best."

Bertschi also took a parting shot at some in the media for focusing too much on front runner Justin Trudeau.

"I was speaking to someone two days ago...and they were concerned about the fact that wherever you went, none of the candidates were being reviewed or listened. It was just a showcase on one," he said.

"I found it interesting that watching the news show that the media was saying my goodness this is going to be a coronation.' Frankly, if it is a coronation, and I'm not saying it is, it's because all the attention by certain entities...have all been on one individual. The individual is totally worthy but so are the other candidates."

Speculation about Bertschi's future has been rampant since earlier this month when his campaign manager and financial agent both quit citing Bertschi's financial woes as the primary reason.

As explained by the Canadian Press, Bertschi had personally loaned his campaign $75,000 and donated $10,000 — amounts that are clearly above Elections Canada limits.

[ Related: Supporters disappear, campaign finances questioned: Liberals hit snags in leadership race ]

At the time Bertschi said that he was fundraising in order to pay-back the overages by March 23rd, the date candidates must file the next round of financial statements with the elections watchdog.

Bertschi, 52, is is an Ottawa-based human rights lawyer, but a political neophyte having never been elected to public office.

He is the third candidate to exit the race following the lead of George Takach and MP Marc Garneau. Both Takach and Garneau have thrown their support behind Trudeau. Bertschi said he will not endorse any candidate and hasn't decided who he will vote for.

[ Related: Marc Garneau drops out of Liberal leadership race ]

With his departure there are six remaining candidates: Trudeau, Martha Hall Findlay, Martin Cauchon, Joyce Murray, Deborah Coyne and Karen McCrimmon.

The final leadership debate takes place in Montreal on Saturday.

The Liberals will announce their new leader on April 14th.

(Photo courtesy of Canadian Press)

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