Former New York Gov. George Pataki ended his dark horse bid for the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday night.
"While tonight is the end of my journey for the White House as I suspend my campaign for president, I'm confident we can elect the right person, someone who will bring us together and who understands that politicians, including the president, must be the people's servant and not their master,” Pataki insisted as he ended his campaign.
Pataki rocketed to national prominence in 1994 when he defeated then Gov. Mario Cuomo who many Democrats hoped would run for president in both 1988 and 1992. Serving three terms in Albany, Pataki led the Empire State during the 9/11 attacks.
After flirting with presidential bids before, including in the 2012 election cycle when he focused on opposing President Barack Obama’s federal health-care law, Pataki launched his campaign back in May. During his bid, Pataki tried to claim the political center, stressing his fiscal conservatism, record in Albany but often going left on social issues, including criticizing Kentucky county Court Clerk Kim Davis for refusing to officially recognizing same sex marriage despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
While he tried to focus on New Hampshire, Pataki made little progress and was regulated to the undercard debates where he left little of an impression. In recent polls, Pataki took less than one percent.
Pataki’s departure will not have much of an impact in Florida. While the other candidates attended the Republican Party of Florida’s (RPOF) Sunshine Summit in November and secured their places on the primary ballot, Pataki skipped it and did not make the ballot in Florida.
The former New York governor became the fifth Republican candidate ending his presidential bid following three men who led their states as governors--Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Rick Perry of Texas and Scott Walker of Wisconsin--and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
