Republican presidential candidate Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) suspended his presidential campaign Monday morning after his campaign failed to qualify for the third GOP debate and would likely miss this week’s fourth primary debate.
Burgum, a long-shot candidate who consistently polled in the low single digits, slammed the Republican National Committee in a statement announcing the end of his 2024 run.
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“The RNC’s clubhouse debate requirements are nationalizing the primary process and taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire,” Burgum said. “The RNC’s mission is to win elections. It is not their mission to reduce competition and restrict fresh ideas by ‘narrowing the field’ months before the Iowa caucuses or the first in the nation New Hampshire primary.”
A RealClearPolitics poll average showed Burgum polling at 0.6%, far below the 6% needed to qualify for Wednesday night’s primary debate.
The North Dakota governor spent weeks resisting calls to drop out after more well-known candidates, such as former Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), suspended their presidential campaigns. Last month, Burgum had pledged to stay in the race until the New Hampshire primary.
“I know I have the skills and experience to turn this country around,” Burgum said. “I’m running to unleash the best of America and improve every American life. It’s that simple.”
Best of America, the super PAC affiliated with Burgum, spent at least $2 million in television and voter contact since the second GOP primary debate in late September, including $700,000 on Fox News, to increase Burgum’s poll numbers. But it didn’t help him qualify for the third GOP debate held last month in Florida.
The group also spent $4.5 million on ads that ran nationally on multiple networks from Aug. 30 to Sept. 24, just days ahead of the Sept. 27 second debate. In mid-September, Best of America had spent $15 million since July to try and raise Burgum’s national profile.
Burgum almost missed the first GOP debate in August due to an Achilles tendon injury from playing basketball. He notably gave $20 gift cards to the first 50,000 people who donated just $1 to his campaign to raise the required 40,000 unique donors to make the debate stage. During the first debate, the governor ranked second-lowest in terms of speaking time. Only former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson spoke less than he did onstage.
A wealthy businessman, Burgum likely could have funded his campaign through the early nominating races next year but instead chose to end his campaign.
“While this primary process has shaken my trust in many media organizations and political party institutions, it has only strengthened my trust in America,” he said. “Our nation doesn’t need to be perfect to be exceptional. In community after community along this journey, we witnessed the best that America has to offer. We are deeply grateful for each and every person who supported us with their ideas, prayers, advocacy, encouragement, and enthusiasm.”
The Democratic National Committee taunted Burgum’s exit from the 2024 race, using the occasion to slam the GOP in a statement released on Monday.
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“Today, millions of Americans are reacting to Doug Burgum’s dropout with a resounding, ‘who is that?’ It turns out that buying your way onto the debate stage to tout an extreme anti-abortion agenda can only barely bring you to the cusp of relevance,” DNC spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “We thank Doug for doing his part to light millions of GOP dollars on fire to burn into voters minds just how extreme today’s Republican Party is.”
Burgum did not endorse a 2024 rival on Monday, nor did Pence nor Scott when they ended their 2024 bids. Former Texas Rep. Will Hurd endorsed former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley when he ended his presidential bid in October.
