Ben Carson said Wednesday that he does not see a “political path forward” in the GOP nominating contest, all but assuring that he will formally drop out of the race despite assuring supporters that he will remain active moving forward.
The retired neurosurgeon’s next scheduled public appearance is a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, where he said he will address his plans in further detail. He will not appear at Thursday night’s primary debate in Detroit, he said in a statement.
“I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening’s Super Tuesday primary results. However, this grassroots movement on behalf of ‘We the People’ will continue,” Carson said. “Along with millions of patriots who have supported my campaign for President, I remain committed to Saving America for Future Generations.”
He thanked those who donated to his campaign, stating that “the best interests of the American people,” not finances, dictate his political decisions.
Carson briefly shared the outsider spotlight with Donald Trump at the top of the polls in 2015, but faded precipitously before voting officially began. He has not placed better than fourth in any primary state thus far.
