North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has announced that he is ending his campaign to become the Republican candidate for president and withdrawing his name for the primary. He made the announcement through a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), although he did not provide the specific reason that led him to make the decision.
"Our decision to run for came from a place of caring deeply about every American and our mission to re-establish trust in American leadership and our institutions of democracy. ... While this primary process has shaken my trust in many media organizations and political party institutions, it has only strengthened my trust in America," wrote the former candidate.
We launched our campaign with a clear-eyed mission: Bring a business leader and proven governor’s voice to fight for the best of America. We will always remain committed to fighting for that, and for the people who make our nation so exceptional. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ugSM7SysxS
— Doug Burgum (Text "DOUG" to 70177) (@DougBurgum) December 4, 2023
Burgum did not have the popularity of other Republican candidates such as Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley heading into the race. The polls gave him a minimal chance of emerging victorious in his party's pre-election contest, with his support ranging between 2-3%.
From the beginning, the governor of North Dakota focused his campaign on national security, the economy and the energy sector. He also emphasized that China is the biggest threat to the country.
He is the seventh candidate to withdraw from the Republican race after Mike Pence, Francis Suárez, Larry Elder, William Hurd, Tim Scott and Perry Johnson. Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Asa Hutchinson, Ryan Blinkey, Rollan Roberts II and John Anthony Castro remain.
