Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis drops out of the presidential race, endorses Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose hardline right-wing policies in his state garnered much public attention and made him an early favorite for the 2024 presidential race, suspended his bid for the Republican nomination on Sunday in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

DeSantis also endorsed former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination.

"If there was anything I could do to produce a more favorable outcome — more campaign stops, more interviews — I would do it," he said. "But I can't ask our volunteers to volunteer their time and donate their resources if we don't have a clear path to victory."

DeSantis then proceeded to urge voters to support Trump, arguing that he is "superior" to President Biden.

"He [Trump] has my endorsement because we can't go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear, a repackaged form or warmed over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents."

DeSantis' exit from the Republican presidential nomination field creates a path for former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as the only conservative alternative to Trump's candidacy left in the race. Trump and Haley will square off in the New Hampshire GOP primary on Tuesday.

At an event of her own in New Hampshire on Sunday, Haley announced the news of DeSantis' decision to cheering supporters.

"He ran a great race," she said. "He's been a good governor and we wish him well."

But Haley quickly pivoted the focus back to the race on Tuesday. "It's now one fella and one lady left," she said, referring to the race between herself and Trump for the GOP nomination. "All the fellas are out except for this one, and this comes down to what do you want."

DeSantis came in second place in the Iowa GOP caucuses, according