MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has announced he is dropping out of the race for the White House in 2016.
During an abruptly called news conference in Madison, the Republican Walker says he’s dropping out to allow for a “positive, conservative message” to rise to the top of the GOP field.
Walker said he’s not seeing much optimism in the current race and has moved into constant personal attacks.
He also appeared to take a shot at billionaire Donald Trump, by urging other candidates to drop out so that voters can focus on what he called an, “alternative to the current frontrunner.”
The two-term Wisconsin governor started out as a top-tier candidate when he declared on July 13, but in the weeks since has seen his poll numbers tumble and his campaign cash dry up.
Walker most recently polled barely above zero in the latest CNN/ORC poll, after performing in the 2nd GOP primary debate slightly better than the first one. It apparently wasn’t enough for campaign donors, after holding a conference call last Thursday.
“The short answer is money,” a supporter of Mr. Walker’s told the New York Times. “He’s made a decision not to limp into Iowa.”
Walker’s current term as governor runs through 2018.
