Doug Burgum reveals he is suspending his 2024 campaign: Republican hopeful becomes latest to drop out
- The governor of North Dakota broke his record in office and as a businessman.
- But he never broke through and failed to qualify for the third Republican debate.
- On Monday, he criticized debate organizers and announced he was quitting.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced Monday he is suspending his long-shot 2024 presidential campaign.
The businessman struggled to gain more than two percent in Republican primary polls and failed to qualify for the third debate.
He based his candidacy on his experience in business and as governor of North Dakota, but two days before the fourth debate in Alabama, he admitted that was not enough.
“We remain committed to improving the lives of every American by turning America 180 degrees away from Joe Biden on three critical issues – the economy, energy and national security,” he said.
He was the twelfth Republican candidate to announce his run when he launched his campaign in June.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announced Monday he is suspending his 2024 presidential campaign. He struggled to get over two percent
Burgum is pictured with his wife, Katherine, as he prepares to get on the Republican presidential ballot in New Hampshire.
Although his folksy style made him popular in his home state, he never made a breakthrough and remained in the bottom tier of candidates.
Burgum, 67, appears certain to miss the fourth debate and criticized eligibility requirements as he announced he was suspending his campaign.
He accused the Republican National Committee, which organizes the debate, of “taking the power of democracy away from the concerned and thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire.”
“It is not their job to reduce competition and limit fresh ideas by ‘narrowing the field’ months before the Iowa caucuses or the first New Hampshire primary,” he said.
“These arbitrary criteria favor candidates from the major media markets of the coasts over the American heartland. None of their debate criteria relate to the qualifications associated with actually performing the functions of the President.”
The closest he came to attracting public attention was the first televised debate in Milwaukee in August. He tore his Achilles tendon playing basketball the day before he was due to take the stage, but managed to continue fighting, later telling reporters that he was standing on one leg.
A wealthy former software executive pulled every trick in the book to qualify for the inaugural debate.
He offered a $20 gift card to the first 50,000 people who donated at least a dollar, helping him reach the threshold of 40,000 unique donors.
This was just one of the ways he could use his wealth to support his bid.
Burgum (far right) gave out $20 gift cards to everyone who donated $1 to his campaign, ensuring he would take the stage at the first Republican debate in Milwaukee.
Burgum here with his wife Katherine at the Iowa State Fair in August. On Monday, he criticized the RNC for its debate rules, which meant he was unlikely to qualify for a fourth bout.
Federal Election Commission filings show he contributed $12.2 million of his own money to the $15.1 million his campaign raised from March to September.
He made his money leading Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired for more than $1 billion in 2001. He has also worked in real estate development and venture capital.
Burgum follows former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, radio show host Larry Elder, businessman Perry Johnson, former Texas congressman Will Hurd and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who have all withdrawn.
That leaves Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. envoy Nikki Haley battling for second place behind former President Donald Trump, who is the runaway leader.