Governor Scott Walker, who jumped into the Republican primary in July as a front-runner in the key early state of Iowa, suspended his campaign Monday, September 21st.
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Scott Walker is dropping out of the Republican presidential race, according to a GOP strategist close to the campaign and a senior GOP adviser with knowledge of his plans.
Walker’s opponents openly gossiped about the Wisconsin governor’s political challenges as they gathered in California for last week’s presidential debate.
By then, other strong candidates had entered the race.
The Walker campaign tried to rally by focusing on Iowa and South Carolina, but wavering on whether he would appear at the prestigious Republican conference on Michigan’s Mackinac Island and canceling his keynote speech at the California Republican Party convention at the last minute made him look weaker. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz planned to meet with one top Walker donor Monday night in New York.
“The support he had was relatively soft”, said Republican Wisconsin state Sen. Marco Rubio’s state campaign.
“Win or lose”, Walker said.
Continuing Walker expressed, “Today, I believe that I’m being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race for a positive conservative message to rise to the top of the field”. Speaking in Madison yesterday, Walker said he was inspired to run by the optimism of Ronald Reagan, but said he’s not seen that same optimism in the Republican field so far.
None are expected to do so anytime soon.
Walker’s standing eroded as he struggled through weak debate performances, a series of awkward policy questions, and ceded ground to outsiders like Trump and Ben Carson among conservatives. Walker echoed Perry’s withdrawal, referencing the crowded field and urging his rivals who weren’t near the top to also consider their options and how a divided electorate might be benefiting Trump. “Instead it has drifted into personal attacks”, he said.
Among Walker’s problems, in hindsight, may have been his promise not to officially announce his candidacy until the state budget was finalized, said Franklin, the Marquette poll director.
It may take weeks for a clear picture to emerge of the political landscape without Walker.
Walker’s decision comes three days after we noted his campaign was on “death watch”.
“He thought that he could limp out or he could make an affirmative decision”, said a Republican source familiar with the governor’s thinking who wasn’t authorized to speak on the record.
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Todd Ricketts, who worked under Walker as his national finance co-chairman, said: “Our nation’s future is at stake”.
