Former US Vice President Mike Pence has announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. The decision, which was unveiled at the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, comes amidst dwindling poll numbers and financial challenges for the Pence campaign.
Pence, who served as the Vice President under Donald Trump, stated, "this is not my time," acknowledging the uphill battle his campaign faced. "We always knew this would be an uphill battle, but I have no regrets," he expressed in a statement. Pence's campaign had been grappling with significant debt, ending September with an owing of $621,000 and a mere US$1.2m in the bank. These figures paled in comparison to other Republican rivals.
Despite these challenges, Pence's message remained resolute. "I am leaving this campaign, but I will never leave the fight for conservative values," he affirmed in a statement to his supporters. His decision to suspend his campaign came shortly before the third presidential debate scheduled for 8 November.
Pence's journey in the race was marked by his divergence from former President Donald Trump, especially concerning the events of January 6, 2021. The former Vice President had publicly broken with Trump over the Capitol riot and presided over the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election results in Congress. This move led to a significant rift, with Trump criticizing Pence for lacking "courage" and not overturning the election results. The fallout from this decision was evident, with many Trump loyalists viewing Pence as a traitor.
CNN sources indicated that a significant concern for the Pence campaign was the potential inability to qualify for the third debate stage. Despite efforts, fundraising events in the preceding week did little to assuage these concerns. "There just weren't enough donors," a Republican adviser close to Pence's campaign revealed.
Pence's vision for his candidacy was rooted in core conservative principles, reminiscent of the era of Ronald Reagan. He frequently alluded to these principles during his campaign, urging the party to shift away from populism. However, his exit underscores the transformation of the GOP, which has been significantly influenced by Trump's brand of politics.
The former Vice President's decision to suspend his campaign was closely guarded, catching many event planners off guard. Pence's departure from the race, without endorsing any other Republican candidates, leaves the field open, with Trump continuing to be a dominant figure.
Pence's exit from the 2024 race is indicative of the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party. While he championed conservative values and principles, the shadow of the Trump era and the events of January 6 loomed large over his campaign. As the race for the 2024 nomination continues, it remains to be seen how the GOP will navigate its future direction.
