Former California State Controller Betty Yee announced Monday that she is suspending her campaign for governor, ending a bid that struggled to gain traction with voters despite support from Democratic Party insiders.

Yee cited lagging poll numbers and the short time remaining before the primary election as key factors in her decision to withdraw from the race. The former state controller had been hovering near the bottom of polls for months, facing mounting pressure to exit the contest.

The departure removes a candidate who had been favored by Democratic Party establishment figures but failed to break through with the general public. Yee's campaign never gained significant momentum in a crowded field of Democratic candidates.

Her withdrawal could benefit remaining Democratic candidates by reducing competition and potentially helping the party begin to consolidate support behind a front-runner. The move comes as Democrats seek to maintain control of the governor's office in the nation's most populous state.

Yee previously served as California's state controller, the state's chief fiscal officer responsible for overseeing government spending and tax collection. Her political experience and establishment backing had initially positioned her as a potential contender in the gubernatorial race.