Gilmore leaves Republican presidential race

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore ended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination Saturday afternoon, saying he didn’t put in the years of preparing for the race that was necessary.

“I have come to believe that it takes more than a positive vision for our nation's future to successfully compete for the Presidency,” Gilmore said in a statement. “I believe that it takes years of preparation to put in place both the political and financial infrastructure to contest what now amounts to a one-day national primary in February.”

Gilmore’s withdrawal from the race comes a day before campaign finance records of the last three months are due to be released. As Gilmore mentioned, some believe that with over 20 states moving their presidential primaries to Feb. 5 it will take more money than ever for a presidential candidate to be competitive.

Practically speaking, his departure will have little effect on the race for president. Besides appearing at a June debate, he only campaigned once in New Hampshire. Polling showed he had a hard time getting even one percent, and his fund-raising fell drastically behind his opponents'.

In the last several weeks Gilmore had suspended his campaign “indefinitely” while he recovered from eye surgery.