, the former vice-president under , has suspended his campaign to become the Republican nominee for president in the 2024 election.
Pence made the surprising announcement at a Republican Jewish Coalition event in Las Vegas on Saturday. Despite lagging behind frontrunner Trump and other candidates, he decided to drop out of the race. In his speech, 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.”
At 64 years old, Pence, the former governor of Indiana, led a struggling campaign. He had not yet qualified for the third GOP debate and fell short on required donations. However, his decision to withdraw from the race came as a shock to most, as it was made during an event attended by prominent candidates like Trump and Ron DeSantis.
During his announcement, Pence, known for being a Christian hard-right conservative, cited the Bible, saying, “The Bible tells us there is a time for every purpose under heaven,” and added, “This is not my time.” This declaration surprised the audience, who were expecting rallying remarks as Pence continued his campaign.
Pence concluded his announcement by assuring his supporters that he would continue fighting for conservative values and electing principled Republican leaders. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, showing their appreciation for his dedication.
Pence’s campaign for the presidency never gained significant momentum. However, his loyalty to Trump throughout the former president’s controversial term changed when Pence refused to reject the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory on January 6, 2021. As a result, Pence faced condemnations from Trump and threats from extremists, leading to his evacuation from the US Capitol.
In his campaign announcement, Pence criticized Trump’s actions on January 6th as “reckless” but highlighted his record in Congress, as Indiana governor, and as vice-president. While Pence did not endorse any candidate in his speech, he emphasized the need for a leader who appeals to “the better angels of our nature” and can govern with “civility.”
Pence’s candidacy struggled to attract anti-Trump Republican primary voters and donors. By October, his campaign was in significant debt with limited funds. Despite efforts in Iowa, Pence failed to gain traction or raise sufficient money to sustain his White House bid.
Former vice-presidents have succeeded in past elections, but Pence’s campaign did not follow the same path. With his decision to suspend his campaign, Pence’s presidential aspirations for 2024 have come to an end.
Reuters contributed reporting
