Three things for February 13

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1. Deval Patrick suspends 2020 campaign

We can’t miss this moment— because failing to engage risks losing a whole lot more than an election in November. Today, we’re suspending our campaign, but not giving up the fight. Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/wTiNZ8g7xH

— Deval Patrick (@DevalPatrick) February 12, 2020

Democratic presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced on Wednesday he is suspending his 2020 presidential campaign.

Patrick said in a statement the outcome of the New Hampshire primary – in which he received less than 1,300 votes – was ultimately why he decided to suspend his campaign.

“The vote in New Hampshire last night was not enough for us to create the practical wind at the campaign’s back to go on to the next round of voting,” Patrick said. “So, I have decided to suspend the campaign, effective immediately.”

Tennessee’s primary election will take place on March 3. To register to vote, visit vote.org.

2. Pope Francis rejects proposal for married men to become priests

Pope Francis has declined to approve the ordination of married men to address the priest shortage in the Amazon, sidestepping a fraught issue that has dominated debate in the Catholic Church and even involved retired Pope Benedict XVI. https://t.co/lMkhP3kOQh

— The Associated Press (@AP) February 12, 2020

On Wednesday, Pope Francis released a statement declining a proposal for married men in the Amazon to be ordained.

This proposal, given by bishops in the Amazon, was suggested due to the lack of clergy in the area. 

In his document, titled “Beloved Amazon,” Pope Francis ignored the motion and instead urged bishops to send missionaries to the region. 

“This urgent need leads me to urge all bishops, especially those in Latin America, not only to promote prayer for priestly vocations, but also to be more generous in encouraging those who display a missionary vocation to opt for the Amazon region,” Francis wrote.

To read “Beloved Amazon,” click here. 

3. Students sue to prohibit participation of transgender athletes

The families of three female high school runners filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking to block transgender athletes in Connecticut from participating in girls sports https://t.co/TKEKxqRVqe

— TIME (@TIME) February 12, 2020

Three high school girls from Connecticut made national news Wednesday after their families filed a lawsuit in hopes of stopping transgender athletes from participating in female sports.

One of the girls involved in the lawsuit is sophomore runner Alanna Smith from Danbury High School. Smith said allowing transgender girls into the sport has put her at a disadvantage. 

“Mentally and physically, we know the outcome before the race even starts,” Smith told AP. “That biological unfairness doesn’t go away because of what someone believes about gender identity. All girls deserve the chance to compete on a level playing field.”

According to AP News, the girls are being represented by the conservative non-profit organization Alliance Defending Freedom. 

Currently, Connecticut is one of 17 states that allows transgender athletes to compete based on their gender identity.