Mike Pence Withdraws From Presidential Race, Citing Lack of Progress: ‘The Time Is Not Right for Me’

Former Vice President Mike Pence announced the termination of his presidential campaign this Saturday, acknowledging an inability to secure sufficient financial support or make notable gains in voter surveys.

“Upon much reflection and prayer, I have come to the conclusion that this is not the right time for me to continue my campaign for the presidency, effective immediately,” Pence stated during his address at the annual conference of the Republican Jewish Coalition held in Las Vegas. The audience, visibly shocked by the revelation, gave him several standing ovations.

Pence’s exit marks the first substantial withdrawal from a Republican primary race that has been substantially influenced by his prior superior and current competitor, Donald Trump. Despite historically enjoying the kind of credentials that would make him a strong contender, Pence has been unable to garner a solid base of support.

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At the Las Vegas conference, Pence expressed his continued commitment to Israel and warned about the increasing tendencies of isolationism and populism within the Republican Party. This could jeopardize national security, according to anonymous sources close to the former vice president.

The early withdrawal from the race, more than two months ahead of the pivotal Iowa caucuses, prevents Pence from incurring more debt and from the potential humiliation of being excluded from the upcoming third Republican debate scheduled for November 8 in Miami.

Pence’s political journey has been one of unflinching loyalty to Trump, even in the face of scapegoating during their last days in office over baseless claims of election fraud. He has been viewed critically from both sides: by Trump supporters who consider him disloyal and by Trump critics who regard him as an enabler.

According to a survey by Big Big News-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in August, 57% of American adults hold a negative view of Pence, while only 28% view him positively.

Throughout his campaign, Pence had emphasized that although he was a known figure, he was not “known well.” He had a packed schedule filled with visits to local eateries and Pizza Ranch restaurants. Even in Iowa, a state known for its considerable white Evangelical population, Pence failed to make a significant impact.

His campaign finances were equally bleak, ending September with only $1.18 million in his coffers and a debt of $621,000, which had been accumulating over the weeks.

Sources close to Pence had indicated that prolonging his candidacy could adversely affect his standing within the party, especially given Trump’s commanding lead for the 2024 nomination. Some had speculated that Pence might persist until the Iowa caucuses on January 15, albeit on a shoestring budget.

Foreign policy had returned to the campaign spotlight following a recent attack on Israel by Hamas. Pence had insisted that he was the most seasoned candidate in the field and denounced appeasement tendencies within the Republican Party.

In his concluding remarks, Pence did not endorse any other candidates but continued to distance himself from Trump’s rhetoric. “I encourage all my fellow Republicans to select a candidate who, in the words of Lincoln, appeals to ‘the better angels of our nature,’ and who can guide us not just to electoral victory, but also govern with decency,” he said.

Neither Trump nor Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who spoke after Pence, acknowledged his announcement. However, Nikki Haley, the former U.N. Ambassador, expressed gratitude toward Pence, as did South Carolina Governor Tim Scott, who described him as a man of integrity.

Pence intends to stay active in public discourse, primarily through Advancing American Freedom, a conservative think tank he founded after his vice presidency. He has also penned a forthcoming book offering counsel on work-life balance.

He and his organization are expected to continue advocating policies such as increased American support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and proposals for cuts to Social Security and Medicare as a way to address national debt—stances that were once core to the Republican establishment but have lost favor as the party tilts toward Trump’s more isolationist and populist approach.

Contributed by Michelle L. Price, Big Big News correspondent in Las Vegas.

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