Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich formally ended his presidential bid on Wednesday, and lent his support to front-runner Mitt Romney.
“Today I am suspending the campaign, but suspending the campaign does not mean suspending citizenship,” Gingrich was quoted by Politico as saying. His wife Callista was at his side when he made the announcement in Arlington, Va.
Although he didn’t formally endorse Romney, Gingrich said the upcoming race “is not a choice between Mitt Romney and Ronald Reagan. This is a choice between Mitt Romney and the most radical leftist president in history,” according to USA Today.
Gingrich thanked his supporters in a video message before the official announcement.
Gingrich was a strong contender in the Republican race in January, after winning the South Carolina primary. However, his campaign went downhill soon after he lost a primary in Florida.
