BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) 鈥 North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum ended his long-shot presidential campaign on Monday, blaming his inability to resonate in the race on the Republican 香港六合彩挂牌资料 Committee鈥檚 strict requirements to qualify for the debate stage.
The second-term governor and wealthy software entrepreneur dropped his bid just hours before the RNC was to release the list of candidates who had met the polling and donor qualifications for the being held Wednesday in Alabama. He also failed to qualify for the last month.
He blamed the RNC, which sets qualifications for the debates, for 鈥渘ationalizing the primary process and taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire.鈥
鈥淚t is not their mission to reduce competition and restrict fresh ideas by 鈥榥arrowing the field鈥 months before the Iowa caucuses or the first in the nation New Hampshire primary,鈥 Burgum wrote in his statement announcing his departure. 鈥淭hese arbitrary criteria ensure advantages for candidates from major media markets on the coasts versus America鈥檚 Heartland. None of their debate criteria relate to the qualifications related to actually doing the job of the president.鈥
An RNC spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Burgum鈥檚 remarks.
Burgum was little known nationally when he in June, touting his priorities of energy, the economy and national security, as well as his small-town roots and leadership of the sparsely populated state.
He participated in the first two , meeting donor requirements of the Republican 香港六合彩挂牌资料 Committee by offering $20 Biden Relief Cards 鈥 a jab at rising inflation rates during President Joe Biden's term 鈥 in exchange for $1 donations. over its legality, though Burgum's campaign said its legal advisers had reviewed and approved the method.
Ultimately, he was unable to gain much traction against his rivals in a contest dominated by former President He joins former Vice President Sen. of South Carolina, radio show host businessman former Texas congressman and Miami Mayor in suspending his bid.
Burgum had been one of two lower-tier candidates scheduled to appear this coming weekend at an event billed as an 鈥渁ction conference鈥 in South Carolina, hosted by the state GOP.
Burgum injected millions of his own money into the race, accounting for $12.2 million of the $15.1 million raised by his campaign from March through September, according to Federal Election Commission filings. A super PAC supporting his bid spent over $19 million from July to November, according to filings.
Burgum nearly missed his first opportunity for national public exposure when he the day before the inaugural debate in August in Milwaukee. But he persevered through, later telling reporters that he stood on one leg behind the podium.
Former North Dakota Republican Gov. Ed Schafer called Burgum's campaign 鈥減retty gutsy." But hailing from such a little-populated state, with just three electoral votes and little national profile, brings no leverage or power, Schafer said.
鈥淚n the structure of a presidential race, it's virtually impossible for a state like North Dakota to play in the game," said Schafer, a former U.S. agriculture secretary. Raising campaign money from North Dakota also presents an increasing challenge, he added.
Burgum is in his second term as governor and is eligible for a third in 2024, though he hasn鈥檛 indicated whether he plans to run again. He and his family will gather over the holidays 鈥渢o consider future possibilities," said senior political adviser Dawson Schefter.
Burgum's 鈥渕ost likely scenario鈥 is to seek a third term," Schafer said, citing accomplishments and pressures to run again, as well as Burgum's popularity and likely 鈥渦nfinished business.鈥 An April filing deadline looms for candidates.
Before his time as governor, Burgum was largely known as a businessman who led Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired for over $1 billion in 2001. He stayed on as an executive with Microsoft until 2007. He鈥檚 led other companies in real estate development and venture capital.
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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.
