Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum has suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination for U.S. president.
At a news conference in Gettysburg, Pa., on Tuesday, the unapologetic social and fiscal conservative said he was able to build as strong a campaign as he did by interpreting the voice of the people.
"We were touching hearts, we were raising issues, Santorum said.
Santorum said the decision was made over the weekend.
Santorum took a break from the campaign trail over the weekend after his 3-year-old daughter Bella, who suffers from a genetic condition called Trisomy 18, once again returned to the hospital.
The decision means that much-better-funded former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is all but certain to arrive at the GOP national convention in Tampa as the partys nominee. His remaining opponents are Texas maverick Rep. Ron Paul and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
In a statement released after Santorum's news conference, Gingrich vowed to remain in the race.
Rick has waged a remarkable campaign. His success is a testament to his tenacity and the power of conservative principles, Gingrich stated in a release.
I am committed to staying in this race all the way to Tampa so that the conservative movement has a real choice. I humbly ask Senator Santorums supporters to visit Newt.org to review my conservative record and join us as we bring these values to Tampa. We know well that only a conservative can protect life, defend the Constitution, restore jobs and growth and return to a balanced budget.
In his news conference, Santorum didnt make an endorsement or mention Romney during his suspension speech. However, he did say he would campaign to remove President Barack Obama from the White House in the fall.
After Santorum's news conference, the Republican Party of Florida released a statement from Gov. Rick Scott supporting the presumptive Republican nominee.
There is no question that Rick Santorum ran a hard fought campaign, Scott said. I commend his passion and his willingness to put the best interest of our party and nation first.
Mitt Romney will be our partys nominee and it is critical that all Republicans coalesce behind Governor Romney and focus on electing him as president so he can put the policies in place to create jobs, turn our economy around and get federal spending under control.
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
