Buddy Roemer Drops Out of GOP But Will Seek Americans Elect and Reform Party Nominations

Former Gov. Buddy Roemer of Louisiana said on Wednesday he will drop out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination but will continue his bid for the American Elects nomination. He also said he will seek the nomination of the Reform Party.

Roemer was first elected to Congress in 1980 and as governor of Louisiana in 1987 as a Democrat. During his term in office, he changed his party affiliation and joined the Republicans. He placed third in the 1991 Republican primary, losing to former state Rep. David Duke, best known for his ties with the Ku Klux Klan.

Roemer will make the announcement in a speech in Santa Monica on Thursday.

Tomorrow, I will formally end my bid for the GOP nomination for president of the United States, Roemer said in a statement on Wednesday. As the GOP and the networks host debate No. 20-something this evening, they have once again turned their backs on the democratic process by choosing to exclude a former governor and congressman. I have decided to take my campaign directly to the American people by declaring my candidacy for Americans Elect. Also, after many discussions with the Reform Party, I am excited to announce my intentions of seeking their nomination. It is time to heal our nation and build a coalition of Americans who are fed up with the status quo and the partisan gridlock that infects Washington. Together, we will take on the special interests that control our leaders and end the corruptive influence of money in politics so we can focus on Americas top priority jobs.