Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., bowed out of the Republican presidential race on Tuesday night becoming the third major candidate to drop out of the contest.
After making the announcement on Fox News, Jindal sent a message to supporters informing them of his decision.
“I cannot tell you what an honor it has been to run for president of the United States of America,” Jindal wrote in an email. “My parents came to this country 45 years ago searching for freedom and a chance. When I was born, we lived in student housing at LSU, and never in their wildest dreams did they think their son would have the opportunity to serve as governor of Louisiana or to run for president. They raised me to believe Americans can do anything, and they were right, we can. But this is not my time, so I am suspending my campaign for president.”
Jindal looked ahead to the future as he prepares to wrap up his time as governor. He also offered his take on where the GOP should go from here.
“Going forward, I believe we have to be the party of growth and we can never stop being the party that believes in opportunity,” Jindal insisted. “We cannot settle for the left’s view of envy and division. We have to be the party that says everyone in this country - no matter the circumstances of their birth or who their parents are – can succeed in America. One of the things I will do is go back to work at the think tank I started a few years ago - where I will be outlining a blueprint for making this the American century. We must show the way forward on growing our economy and winning the war against terror, and especially defeating radical Islam.
“I realize that our country is off on the wrong track right now,” Jindal concluded. “Everyone knows that, but don’t forget, this is still the greatest country in the history of the world – and every single one of us should start every day by thanking God that we are fortunate enough to be US citizens. Now is the time for all those Americans who still believe in freedom and American exceptionalism to stand up and defend it. The idea of America – the idea that my parents came here for almost a half a century ago - that idea is slipping away from us. Freedom is under assault from both outside our borders and from within. We must act now, we do not have a moment to spare.”
While there had been some signs Jindal was claiming a little momentum in Iowa, his national poll numbers were poor and he was included in the undercard contests during the first four debates. Despite working as an assistant secretary of HHS and serving in Congress, Jindal had been stressing he’s an outsider to Washington, D.C. and its dysfunction.
Jindal brought some baggage to the presidential contest. His popularity in Louisiana has dropped considerably and Democrats have a solid chance of winning the governorship later this week. Jindal’s fundraising had been anemic, bringing in less than $580,000 in the third quarter of 2015.
Expectations were high for Jindal when he offered the Republican response to Barack Obama’s State of the Union in 2009 but he blew the assignment. In recent weeks, Jindal went on the attack, going after GOP rival businessman Donald Trump and picking fights with Gov. Chris Christie, R-NJ, and former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., in last week’s undercard debate, insisting they were “big government Republicans.”
The Louisiana governor joins former Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, and Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wisc., in getting out of the Republican race.
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn., who shared the undercard debate stage with Jindal four times praised the Louisiana governor on Tuesday night.
"Gov. Jindal is a committed public servant and strong conservative leader,” Santorum said. “He brought a tremendous energy and passion for returning America to its rightful place in the world. This is not the last the country has heard from Bobby Jindal and I wish him and his family the best in their next pursuits."
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who has taken much of the oxygen Jindal hoped to sustain his bid in Iowa, also had kind words for Jindal on Tuesday night.
"Bobby Jindal is a friend, a patriot, and an incredible governor who has consistently and passionately championed conservative values. He brought a unique talent and many strengths to the Republican primary competition,” Cruz said. "His focus on substantive policy matters advanced the debate that our party must have on the issues most important to American voters. And his vision for fundamental tax reform, as well as repealing and replacing Obamacare, helped set an important standard among the Republican field. He presented bold policy proposals that helped strengthen the ideas put forth in this primary to prepare our eventual nominee for the general election.
"Bobby will always be an important conservative leader in the Republican Party and serve to better the future of our country,” Cruz added. “Heidi and I wish Supriya, Bobby, and their family all the best."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
