LAS VEGAS (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence announced on Saturday that he is ending his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Pence made the announcement at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual gathering in Las Vegas, stating, “It’s become clear to me: This is not my time.” He expressed no regrets and received multiple standing ovations from the friendly audience. This decision makes Pence the first major candidate to drop out of the race, which has been dominated by his former boss and rival, Donald Trump.
Pence’s struggles throughout his campaign highlighted the extent to which Trump has transformed the Republican Party. Despite his past as a vice president, Pence had difficulty finding a strong base of support. He did not endorse any of his rivals and continued to criticize Trump, urging his fellow Republicans to choose a presidential candidate who appeals to the country’s “better angels of our nature.”
Pence’s early exit from the race saves him from accumulating more debt and potentially failing to qualify for the third Republican primary debate. However, it is a significant blow to a politician who had been a loyal lieutenant to Trump. Their relationship soured when Trump falsely believed Pence had the power to overturn the results of the 2020 election and keep them both in office. Pence’s withdrawal from the race has caused division, with supporters of Trump viewing him as a traitor. A survey conducted in August showed that 57% of U.S. adults held a negative view of Pence.
Throughout his campaign, Pence attempted to increase his name recognition with voters. He focused on Iowa, a state known for supporting socially conservative candidates like Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum. Pence campaigned alongside his wife, emphasizing his opposition to abortion even in cases of non-viable pregnancies. He also sought to confront the fallout from January 6th, 2021, by repeatedly explaining his adherence to his constitutional duty that day.
Despite his efforts, Pence struggled to gain traction both in terms of fundraising and poll numbers. He ended September with minimal funds and increasing debt. Close associates of Pence began feeling that continuing the campaign would diminish his standing within the party, given Trump’s strong lead in the 2024 nomination race. Ultimately, Pence concluded that he could still advocate for his conservative values without the burden of a campaign.
As Pence exits the race, other Republican candidates like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley offered mixed reactions to his decision. DeSantis did not mention Pence in his speech but later praised him on social media. Haley, on the other hand, began her speech by expressing gratitude towards Pence for his contributions to America and Israel.
Although Pence is stepping away from the presidential race, he plans to remain active in politics through Advancing American Freedom, a conservative think tank he founded after leaving the vice presidency. Additionally, Pence has a book forthcoming that provides advice on balancing work and family. His group will continue to advocate for his policy stances, which include greater U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense and proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare in an effort to address the national debt. These ideas, once popular within the Republican establishment, have fallen out of favor as the party has embraced Trump’s isolationist and populist views.
