Listen 3 min
Share
Comment on this story Comment 437
Add to your saved stories
Save
Long-shot Republican presidential candidate and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum suspended his campaign Monday, after failing to gain momentum with voters in a crowded primary field.
In a statement, Burgum said: “While this primary process has shaken my trust in many media organizations and political party institutions, it has only strengthened my trust in America.” He also criticized the Republican National Committee’s debate requirements, calling them “arbitrary criteria."
Keeping up with politics is easy with The 5-Minute Fix Newsletter, in your inbox weekdays. ArrowRight
Burgum’s campaign ends after months of stagnant polling, revealing a lack of interest in the wealthy tech entrepreneur largely unknown outside of the Midwestern state. Burgum, 67, pitched himself as a job creator uniquely qualified to build the economy and bridge connections between small towns and big cities, but that platform never found traction with a Republican base that has favored former president Donald Trump as Burgum mostly avoided attacking the front-runner, whom he had supported in 2020.
Advertisement
Story continues below advertisement
After he failed to qualify for the third GOP presidential primary debate, Burgum pushed back on calls for him to drop out earlier, arguing that his campaign, propped up by his personal wealth, should continue at least until early states could weigh in. He was not expected to meet the requirements to be on the stage for Wednesday’s debate.
“I’m proud of my record and vision for improving every American life,” he wrote in the Des Moines Register on Nov. 11. “That’s why I’m continuing with my campaign even though the political insiders are trying to stop me.”
On Monday, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson, who also did not qualify for the Republican debate Wednesday, called Burgum’s suspension “a surprise,” but appeared to double down on his campaigning.
Story continues below advertisement
“Doug and I were competing with a similar common sense message and I have heard many times that folks liked us both,” he said in a statement. “Now, I will work double hard to increase my support in Iowa and New Hampshire.”
Advertisement
After entering the race in June, Burgum touted his state’s economic growth and his life story of working as a chimney sweep in college to taking out a loan on the farmland he had inherited to develop a software company that was acquired by Microsoft for $1.1 billion. He distinguished himself from “career politicians,” who he argued would not be able to “walk the walk” as he had.
Share this article Share
Burgum’s campaign, largely self-funded, is a testament to the ability of multimillionaires to run for office by relying on their own personal wealth. Of the $11.8 million that his campaign raised through the second quarter, about $10.2 million was loaned to the campaign by Burgum, according to financial filings. And his advertising reach matched that of more successful campaigns: He had spent nearly $6 million in ads through the end of the year as of mid-November, more than the campaigns of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Story continues below advertisement
Meanwhile, Burgum averaged about 1 percent nationally or 2 percent in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to RealClearPolitics, indicating that his policy message and lesser-known name had not resonated with voters.
Burgum brushed off questions about his viability as his polling stalled, comparing dropping out to predicting who would win the Super Bowl, then calling off the game. When he didn’t make the third debate, he also claimed that the event’s viewership numbers declined.
“It makes no sense,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Let the people decide!”
correction
A previous version of this article incorrectly said Doug Burgum loaned his campaign about $10.2 million in the third quarter. He loaned that amount through the second quarter. The article has been corrected.
2024 presidential candidates Catch up on the winners and losers and takeaways from the fourth Republican primary debate. Compare where the 2024 presidential candidates stand on key issues like abortion, climate and the economy.
Republicans: Top contenders for the GOP 2024 nomination include former president Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Trump U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley. Here is The Post’s ranking of the top 10 Republican presidential candidates for 2024.
Democrats: President Biden is running for reelection in 2024. Here is The Post’s ranking of the top 10 Democratic presidential candidates for 2024.
Share
437 Comments
Doug Burgum
HAND CURATED
Doug Burgum suspends long-shot presidential campaign
December 4, 2023
Doug Burgum suspends long-shot presidential campaign
December 4, 2023
Doug Burgum suffers leg injury, but will still participate in GOP presidential debate
August 23, 2023
Doug Burgum suffers leg injury, but will still participate in GOP presidential debate
August 23, 2023
North Dakota’s Doug Burgum enters a long-shot bid to shake up 2024 race
June 7, 2023
North Dakota’s Doug Burgum enters a long-shot bid to shake up 2024 race
June 7, 2023
Loading...
Subscribe to comment and get the full experience. Choose your plan →