Former Vice President Mike Pence has withdrawn his candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, marking the first major withdrawal from the race.
As reported by the Associated Press on Saturday, Pence made the announcement during the annual gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas. Citing his struggle to rally financial support and gaining popularity in polls, Pence stated, "This is not my time."
The former vice president's decision comes amid a race dominated by his ex-boss, Donald Trump. Despite typically being seen as a powerful challenger, Pence has found difficulty establishing a solid base of support.
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The announcement of his withdrawal took place in Las Vegas, allowing Pence to express his continued support for Israel and voice his concerns about the isolationist and populist waves within the Republican Party.
Pence's exit from the race, more than two months ahead of the Iowa caucuses, saves him from accumulating more debt. It also spares him the potential embarrassment of not qualifying for the third Republican primary debate scheduled for Nov. 8 in Miami.
With his departure, Pence has not endorsed any other candidate. However, he urged his fellow Republicans to choose a standard-bearer that will lead the nation with civility.
Despite withdrawing from the race, Pence plans to stay active, continuing his work via Advancing American Freedom, the conservative think tank he founded after leaving the vice presidency.
This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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