Another Republican presidential candidate drops out

Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, has dropped out of the 2024 White House race but pledged to continue working to improve the lives of Americans.

"We have decided to suspend our campaign for president of the United States," North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced on X on December 4. He and his wife, Kathryn, remain committed to "fighting for the people who make America special."

Burgum, 67, entered the race for the White House in June, focusing his campaign on economic policy, energy and national security. He has avoided attacking Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner, or commenting on the former president’s legal scandals. He has said he will not serve as Trump’s running mate or join the former president’s future cabinet.

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum speaks in Kissimmee, Florida on November 4. Photo: AFP — North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum speaks in Kissimmee, Florida on November 4. Photo: *AFP*

Mr. Burgum was elected governor of North Dakota in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. He was the CEO of a software company before selling it to Microsoft.

Governor Burgum spent millions of dollars on his campaign to improve his image, but to little avail. His appearances at two Republican debates in August and September did not help him become a potential candidate. He did not participate in the third debate in early November because he did not meet the Republican National Committee's criteria.

With Mr. Burgum's withdrawal, the Republican Party now has six candidates, including Mr. Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

On the Democratic side, the party's leading candidate is incumbent President Joe Biden. He faces two opponents: author Marianne Williamson and Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips.

Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, CNN )

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