Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was suspending his presidential bid Sunday, ending a campaign that was initially projected to mount a serious challenge to former President Trump but fizzled over the course of a year.
In a video posted to social media Sunday, DeSantis said he and his campaign “prayed and deliberated” about how to move forward after its devastating loss at the Iowa caucuses. DeSantis came in second place at 21.2%, behind Trump at 51% and just two points ahead of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at 19.1%.
“I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources if we don’t have a clear path to victory,” he said. “Accordingly, I am today suspending my campaign.”
He also cast his endorsement for Trump, who enjoys broad support among Republican voters.
“It’s clear to me that a majority of Republican primary voters want to give Donald Trump another chance,” DeSantis said in the video. “While I’ve had disagreements with Donald Trump … Trump is superior to the current incumbent, Joe Biden.”
DeSantis’ sudden departure from the race throws the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday into a scramble between Haley and Trump.
This is a developing story and will be updated.