Mike Pence Ends Presidential Campaign Early Amid Trump's Continued Influence on GOP

Despite strong conservative credentials, Pence's campaign flounders amid lingering resentment from hardcore Trump supporters over his refusal to back Trump's election fraud claims; hefty campaign debt also cited as a factor in early exit.

• Mike Pence, despite his strong political resume as a congressman, governor, and former vice president, has ended his presidential campaign more than two months before the first contest in the Republican primary.
• The early end to Pence's campaign highlights the lingering resentment from hardcore Trump supporters over his refusal to back Trump's election fraud claims. Pence had been targeted by Trump supporters as a traitor for upholding the Constitution on January 6th, 2021.
• On the campaign trail, Pence tried to navigate a complex political landscape, celebrating the accomplishments of the Trump-Pence administration while also criticizing Trump for placing himself above the Constitution and traditional conservative principles.
• Pence's campaign debt also contributed to his early departure from the campaign. Reports revealed that Pence had accumulated more than $600,000 in debt by the end of September and was spending nearly as much as he was raising. His campaign was effectively over around the time of the second debate in September.
• The departure of Pence, who was only polling in the single digits, will not likely give a significant boost to any of his rivals. However, it signals a narrowing field for the Republican primary, which may bolster the chances of anti-Trump candidates challenging Trump directly.

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