Jon Huntsman will drop out of the Republican presidential race on Monday, a campaign spokesman told ABC News.
Huntsman spokesman Tim Miller said the former ambassador to China and Utah Governor was “proud of the race that he ran†but “did not want to stand in the way†of rival Mitt Romney, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination.
Huntsman plans to endorse Romney at an 11 a.m. press conference Monday in Myrtle Beach, SC.
After a disappointing third place finish in New Hampshire – a contest on which he had staked his candidacy – Huntsman vowed to fight on. In his concession speech in New Hampshire, he told his supporters: “I say third place is a ticket to ride, ladies and gentleman! Hello, South Carolina!â€
But just six days from the South Carolina primary, Huntsman has said goodbye to the Palmetto state after all.
While Huntsman will be throwing his support to Romney on Monday, it was only a week ago that he told ABC’s John Berman just the opposite.
When asked if he trusts Governor Romney, Huntsman replied, “He has not put forth reason to give us a reason for us to trust him.â€
Huntsman, 51, entered the race last summer to high expectations, but he struggled from the start to win over conservative Republican voters.
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The Blaze: Jon Huntsman Dropping Out of Race for President, Will Endorse Romney