Christie, Fiorina drop out of GOP race after New Hampshire

Alex Hanson/Iowa State Daily

Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina speaks at a town hall at Iowa State University in Ames on Jan. 30.

Alex Hanson

Two more Republican candidates have decided to drop out of the race for president, both following disappointing performances in New Hampshire’s primary Tuesday.

Carly Fiorina was first, announcing Wednesday afternoon in an online statement that she was dropping out. 

This campaign was always about citizenship—taking back our country from a political class that only serves the big, the powerful, the wealthy, and the well connected,” Fiorina said in a statement. “Election after election, the same empty promises are made and the same poll-tested stump speeches are given, but nothing changes. I’ve said throughout this campaign that I will not sit down and be quiet. I’m not going to start now.”

Fiorina’s decision comes just a day after pulling in 4 percent in New Hampshire.

“While I suspend my candidacy today, I will continue to travel this country and fight for those Americans who refuse to settle for the way things are and a status quo that no longer works for them,” she said.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was second, holding a conference call to announce the news with supporters shortly after the Fiorina news broke.

I ran for president with the message that the government needs to once again work for the people, not the people work for the government,” Christie said a message on Facebook.” And while running for president I tried to reinforce what I have always believed – that speaking your mind matters, that experience matters, that competence matters and that it will always matter in leading our nation.”

Several news outlets reported the news earlier on Wednesday morning.

“I leave the race without an ounce of regret,” he said. “I’m so proud of the campaign we ran, the people that ran it with me and all those who gave us their support and confidence along the way. Mary Pat and I thank you for the extraordinary display of loyalty, friendship, understanding and love.”

Christie’s decision comes after a strong debate performance over the weekend, but only getting 7 percent in New Hampshire, where he spent a considerable amount of time.