- The governor of North Dakota stood firm on his record and as a businessman
- But he never broke through and failed to qualify for the third Republican debate
- He criticized the debate organizers on Monday when he announced he would drop out
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced Monday that he will suspend his highly anticipated 2024 presidential campaign.
The businessman struggled to get above two percent in the Republican primaries and failed to qualify for the third debate.
He based his run on his record in business and as governor of North Dakota, but two days before the fourth debate in Alabama he admitted that wasn’t enough.
“We remain committed to improving the lives of every American by moving America 180 degrees in the opposite direction of Joe Biden on three critical issues – the economy, energy and national security,” he said.
He was the twelfth Republican candidate to announce a run when he launched his campaign in June.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced Monday that he is suspending his 2024 presidential campaign. He struggled to get above two percent
Burgum is seen here with wife Kathryn at the Iowa State Fair in August. He slammed the RNC on Monday for its debate rules, which meant he was unlikely to qualify for the fourth showdown
Although his folksy style made him popular in his home state, he never managed to create a breakthrough moment and remained entrenched in the bottom tier of candidates.
The 67-year-old Burgum seemed certain to miss the fourth debate and criticized the entry requirements when he announced that he would suspend his campaign.
He accused the Republican National Committee, which organizes the debates, of “taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thinking citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire.”
“Their mission is not to reduce competition and limit new ideas by narrowing the field months before the Iowa caucuses or the early New Hampshire primaries,” he said.
“These arbitrary criteria guarantee advantages for candidates from major coastal media markets versus America’s heartland. None of their debate criteria address the qualifications associated with actually serving as president.”
The closest he came to capturing public attention was just before 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, later telling reporters that he was standing on one leg.
The wealthy former software executive had used every trick in the book to qualify for the opening debate.
He offered a $20 gift card to the first 50,000 people to donate at least a dollar, helping him reach the 40,000 unique donor threshold.
It was just one of the ways he could use his own fortune to strengthen his bid.
He made his money as head of Great Plains Software, which Microsoft acquired for more than $1 billion in 2001. He also worked in real estate development and venture capital.
Burgum follows former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, radio host Larry Elder, businessman Perry Johnson, former Texas Congressman Will Hurd and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez who have all withdrawn.
It leaves Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley vying for second place behind former President Donald Trump, who is the runaway leader.
