Florida Governor Ron DeSantis – once tipped as Donald Trump’s biggest challenger for the Republican presidential nomination – has suspended his campaign.
It comes after Trump secured a record-breaking victory in the Republican Party’s Iowa caucuses, a long way clear of DeSantis, who only narrowly beat his nearest rival, Nikki Haley.
DeSantis announced his decision in a video posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in which he endorsed Trump for president in his announcement.
He said following the result and “deliberation” with his campaign team, that he could not see a “clear path to victory” in the Republican race.
“Following our second-place finish in Iowa, we’ve prayed and deliberated on the way forward,” he said.
“If there was anything I could do to produce a favourable outcome, more campaign stops, more interviews, I would do it.
“But I can’t ask our supporters to volunteer their time and donate their resources. We don’t have a clear path to victory.
“Accordingly, I am today suspending my campaign.”
The move comes two days before the New Hampshire primary – where Haley is tipped to perform well.
DeSantis, who campaigned heavily in Iowa, had reportedly shifted his team’s focus to the next primary, in South Carolina, before Sunday’s announcement.
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