Another 2024 Republican presidential contender has decided to suspend their campaign after failing to qualify for the upcoming fourth debate.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who was always considered a long-shot prospect, announced on Monday that he was suspending his campaign after failing to connect with voters.
Fox News reported that, in a statement and video released Monday morning, Burgum, a multi-millionaire former software company CEO who is serving his second term, emphasized that he and his wife “are deeply grateful for each and every person who supported us with their ideas, prayers, advocacy, encouragement, and enthusiasm. Kathryn and I will always remain committed to fighting for the people who make our nation so exceptional.”
He also launched criticisms at the Republican National Committee as he suspended the campaign, per Fox:
After making the stage at the first two GOP presidential debates, Burgum failed to qualify for the third showdown and was unlikely to reach the thresholds mandated by the RNC to take the stage at this week’s fourth debate. The RNC is expected on Monday evening to announce which candidates qualified for the fourth debate.
“The RNC’s clubhouse debate requirements are nationalizing the primary process and taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire,” Burgum said in his statement, a reference to the first two states to vote in the GOP primaries.
“The RNC’s mission is to win elections. It is not their mission to reduce competition and restrict fresh ideas by ‘narrowing the field’ months before the Iowa caucuses or the first in the nation, the New Hampshire primary. These arbitrary criteria ensure advantages for candidates from major media markets on the coasts versus America’s Heartland,” he said.
“None of their debate criteria relate to the qualifications related to actually doing the job of the president. This effort to nationalize the primary system is unhealthy for the future of the party, especially for a party that proclaims to value leadership from outside of Washington,” Burgum added.
Former President Donald Trump, meanwhile, remains the party’s frontrunner and by a wide margin, according to nearly all national polling.
