North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum suspended his presidential campaign on Monday after failing to garner polling momentum in a crowded GOP field.
“Our decision to run for President came from a place of caring deeply about every American and a mission to re-establish trust in America’s leadership and our institutions of democracy. While this primary process has shaken my trust in many media organizations and political party institutions, it has only strengthened my trust in America,” Burgum said in a statement.
“We are deeply grateful for each and every person who supported us with their ideas, prayers, advocacy, encouragement and enthusiasm,” the 67-year-old multimillionaire added.
Burgum’s campaign boasted of the governor’s influence in making energy policy a campaign issue, and criticized the Republican National Committee over its debate qualification criteria, arguing it did not “relate to the qualifications related to actually doing the job of the president.”
Burgum failed to make the stage at the third Republican debate in Miami Nov. 8 after qualifying for the first two showdowns, and was not expected to qualify for the fourth debate, set for Wednesday in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Despite long odds, Burgum vowed to The Post last month he would remain in the race through the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses and the Jan. 23 New Hampshire primaries.
“We will be on the ballot and people will be able to caucus for us in January. Here and in New Hampshire, absolutely, positively,” the governor said on Nov. 20, adding that he wanted to beat the “lowest expectations” in the Hawkeye State.
During his debate appearances, Burgum aggressively emphasized his messaging on energy and the threat of China — at one point receiving warnings from the moderators that his mic would be cut if he continued interjecting.
The businessman had been averaging 0.6% support on the national level, as well as a paltry 2.7% in Iowa, 2.0% in New Hampshire and 0.3% in South Carolina, according to RealClearPolitics.
Burgum is paying his team through December and the holidays, a source close to the campaign told The Post.
Senior staff found out about the suspension this weekend and there was an all-staff call Monday morning before the announcement, the source added.