Former US Vice President Pence has withdrawn from the presidential race. He announced his candidacy in June, challenging his former boss Trump among the Republicans.
Former US Vice President Mike Pence is throwing in the towel in the race for the opposition Republicans’ presidential nomination. “To the American people I say: This is not my time,” Pence told attendees at the Republican Jewish Coalition conference in Las Vegas. “After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to suspend my presidential campaign.”
He was far behind in the polls and, according to media reports, had problems raising money for his campaign. “We always knew this would be a tough fight, but I have no regrets,” he said.
Trump’s deputy for years
Pence entered the presidential race in June and challenged his former boss Donald Trump among the Republicans. Pence made no recommendation in his statement, but called for choosing someone who appeals to the better side of people and can lead with “courtesy.”
The arch-conservative politician and evangelical Christian Pence was a loyal deputy to Trump during his four years in the White House. However, the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021 led to a break between the two Republicans.
At the time, Pence had refused Trump’s demand to block confirmation of Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election in Congress. Since then, Pence has repeatedly criticized Trump and declared that the right-wing populist should not be allowed to become president again.
Republicans choose candidates in primary
The Republican field of candidates is led by Trump. Also in the running are Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. The Republicans choose their candidate in an internal party primary.
US President Joe Biden is running for re-election among the Democrats. As the incumbent, he is unlikely to face any serious competition within the party in the election campaign.