Former Vice President Mike Pence has made the decision to suspend his campaign for president, citing low poll numbers and financial difficulties. He announced this decision at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference in Las Vegas, vowing to support other principled Republican leaders in the future.
The main concern within Pence’s campaign was that he wouldn’t meet the qualifications for the third debate stage next month, according to a source. This concern played a significant role in his decision, along with a lack of fundraising success in recent days.
Pence believes that he has successfully shaped his image on his own terms, despite the controversial end to his tenure as Vice President under the Trump administration. He plans to continue fighting for conservative values and supporting Republican leaders in various offices.
The decision to suspend his campaign was kept secret among advisors, leading many event planners to be unaware of the announcement. Pence’s strategy for his candidacy focused on breaking away from former President Donald Trump and highlighting core conservative principles.
His exit from the 2024 race reflects the shift within the GOP, which has been heavily influenced by Trump. Despite Trump’s legal issues, he remains the dominant candidate in the upcoming presidential race. Pence, who previously served as Indiana governor and a US congressman, launched his campaign in Iowa, emphasizing personal interactions and his evangelical Christian beliefs.
As a former vice president to Trump, Pence faced the unique challenge of running against his former running mate. He aimed to showcase his loyalty to the Trump-Pence administration’s achievements while highlighting their differences on key issues such as Social Security, abortion, and foreign policy.
The pivotal moment came on January 6, 2021, when Pence refused to reject electoral votes during the certification of the 2020 election. This incident overshadowed his campaign, as Trump and his supporters believed Pence had the power to intervene. Pence consistently reiterated that he followed the Constitution and did his duty.
Trump did not directly address Pence’s withdrawal from the GOP race during his speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition summit but later suggested that Pence should endorse him. Despite receiving admiration for his service and faith, Pence struggled to gain support in the polls. He faced challenges in meeting the individual donor threshold required by the Republican National Committee.
To make matters worse, Pence filed for the Nevada state-run presidential primary instead of the party-run caucuses, rendering him ineligible for delegates. His campaign also reported a significant amount of debt during the fundraising quarter.
Although Pence criticized his Republican rivals, he promised to support the eventual GOP nominee and ruled out the possibility of being a vice presidential nominee again.
Overall, Pence’s withdrawal from the 2024 race signifies the changing dynamics within the Republican Party and the continued influence of Trump.
