Former Vice President Mike Pence Suspends Presidential Campaign
Former Vice President Mike Pence announced on Saturday that he would be dropping his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Pence made the decision after struggling to gain traction in the polls and facing challenges raising money for his campaign.
Speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual gathering in Las Vegas, Pence stated, “It’s become clear to me: This is not my time. So after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today.” The announcement surprised the friendly audience, which responded with multiple standing ovations.
Pence’s departure from the race is significant as he is the first major candidate to exit a field dominated by his former boss and rival, Donald Trump. Pence’s difficulties in finding a base of support highlight the transformation the Republican Party has undergone under Trump’s leadership.
While Pence did not immediately endorse any of his rivals, he continued to criticize Trump, urging fellow Republicans to support a candidate who would lead with civility and appeal to the better angels of their nature, just as Abraham Lincoln had done.
Pence’s decision comes more than two months before the Iowa caucuses, which he had counted on to revitalize his campaign. By dropping out now, Pence avoids accumulating additional debt and the potential embarrassment of not qualifying for the third Republican primary debate in November.
However, Pence’s withdrawal is a blow to a politician who had been a loyal lieutenant to Trump during their time in office. Pence faced backlash from Trump and his supporters after refusing to overturn the 2020 election results, and he drew criticism from Trump critics for defending the former president’s actions.
According to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll from August, a majority of U.S. adults viewed Pence negatively. His campaign efforts to increase his visibility and change public perception were largely unsuccessful.
Pence had focused on Iowa, hoping to appeal to the state’s large white Evangelical population with his socially conservative views. However, he struggled to gain traction and faced challenges with fundraising. By the end of September, Pence only had $1.18 million in the bank and over $600,000 in debt.
People close to Pence had expressed concerns that continuing the campaign would diminish his long-term standing within the party, particularly given Trump’s overwhelming lead in the 2024 nomination race. Ultimately, Pence decided to end his campaign and address the Las Vegas event as a final opportunity to discuss important issues.
While some of Pence’s rivals did not acknowledge his announcement on stage, others praised him. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis commended Pence on social media, describing him as a “principled man of faith.” Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley expressed gratitude towards Pence for his dedication to America and Israel.
Following his withdrawal from the race, Pence is expected to remain active in the conservative movement through his think tank, Advancing American Freedom. He also has a book scheduled for release next month, offering advice on work-life balance.
Pence’s think tank will continue advocating for the policies he supported during his campaign, such as increased support for Ukraine and proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Although Pence’s presidential campaign has come to an end, the Republican primary race continues to unfold as the candidates seek to secure the nomination for the 2024 election.
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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report.