Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND)
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO/AP) – North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum announced Monday that he is suspending his campaign for President, blaming the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) debate requirements for stifling competition in the GOP primary.
“We launched our campaign for President on June 7 clear-eyed about our mission: bring a business leader and proven governor’s voice to the fight for the best of America,” Burgum said in a statement.
He said the primary process has shaken his trust in media organizations and political party institutions.
“The RNC’s clubhouse debate requirements are nationalizing the primary process and taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire. The RNC’s mission is to win elections. It is not their mission to reduce competition and restrict fresh ideas by ‘narrowing the field’ months before the Iowa caucuses or the first in the nation New Hampshire primary…this effort to nationalize the primary system is unhealthy for the future of the party, especially for a party that proclaims to value leadership from outside of Washington,” Burgum’s statement said.
Burgum qualified for the first two GOP debates. He did not meet the polling criteria for the third debate and was not on track to make the stage for the fourth debate on Wednesday.
Burgum injected millions of his own money into the race, accounting for $12.2 million of the $15.1 million raised by his campaign from March through September, according to Federal Election Commission filings. A super PAC supporting his bid raised over $11 million in the first six months of this year, according to filings.
His was a stronger-than-expected showing fueled by a gift card-for-campaign donation gimmick that helped get him on the debate stage. Burgum was little known nationally when he launched his campaign. He participated in the first two Republican debates, meeting donor requirements of the Republican National Committee by offering $20 “Biden Relief Cards” — a jab at rising inflation rates during President Joe Biden’s term — in exchange for $1 donations. The tactic drew skepticism over its legality, though Burgum’s campaign said its legal advisers had reviewed and approved the method.
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