Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) withdrew from the Republican presidential primary on Sunday, ending a surprising rise and fall for a candidate once seen as former President Donald Trump's toughest rival.
“After finishing second in Iowa, we have been praying and reflecting on our path forward,” DeSantis said in a video message posted to X hours before his scheduled event in New Hampshire. he said. “If there is anything I can do to stop more campaigns, do more interviews, create a favorable outcome, I will do it. But unless there is a clear path to victory, supporters I cannot ask people to volunteer their time and resources. Therefore, I am suspending my campaign today.”
“It's clear that the vast majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance,” the governor continued. “I've had disagreements with Donald Trump, including on the coronavirus pandemic and the elevation of Anthony Fauci, but Trump is better than incumbent Joe Biden. That's clear.”
Mr. DeSantis also suggested support for Mr. Trump while bashing former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
“I signed a pledge to support the Republican candidate and I intend to honor that pledge. A repackaged version of Nikki Haley's warmed-up corporatism.”
Mr. DeSantis was seen as the most likely candidate to replace Mr. Trump after winning re-election in last year's midterm elections with a landslide victory as governor of Florida. His victory contrasted sharply with the performance of other Republicans around the country, including many Republicans who had supported Mr. Trump.
The Florida governor officially launched his candidacy in May with the support of a number of Republican campaign veterans in campaign organizations and super PACs.
But Mr. DeSantis was unable to gain support from his former political ally, Mr. Trump. DeSantis' campaign got off to a rocky start, with Twitter Spaces experiencing technical glitches when it launched. And the governor faced criticism for his personality on the campaign trail, with critics labeling him awkward.
Although he came in second place in the Iowa caucuses on Monday, he was still far behind Trump, receiving just 21% of the vote compared to Trump's 51%. He is widely expected to struggle in New Hampshire, where former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley (R) is considered the former president's most competitive rival.
Prior to Sunday's withdrawal from the Republican primary, an average from The Hill's Decision Desk headquarters showed DeSantis in New Hampshire with 7.2 percent and South Carolina in third place with 8.3 percent.
Mr. DeSantis' withdrawal from the race is likely to be an advantage for Mr. Trump, who shares ground with the Florida governor. At a campaign event Sunday at Trump campaign headquarters in Manchester, New Hampshire, ahead of DeSantis' resignation, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said he welcomed DeSantis back into Trump's orbit. Ta.
Gates, President Trump's top surrogate, told supporters: “I remember the good old days when I was transition chairman Ron DeSantis, and he and President Trump worked very well together.” .
“I hate it when mom and dad fight,” he continued, drawing laughter from the audience. “We've found out that we may have Ron DeSantis back on the team in the near future, and we welcome that,” he said to applause.
Updated at 3:55 p.m.
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