'This is not my time', former vice president Mike Pence withdraws from US presidential race

Former US Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday (Oct 26) announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race saying, "This is not my time."

While speaking at the annual meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, Pence said, "I was raised to believe that to whom much is given, much will be required, and with everything our country is facing I just couldn't sit this one out. But the Bible tells us that there's a time for every purpose under heaven. And travelling across the country over the past six months, I came here to say it's become clear to me, this is not my time."

"So after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today. Now I'm leaving this campaign, but let me promise you, I will never leave the fight for conservative values, and I will never stop fighting to elect principled Republican leaders to every office in the land," he added,

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Pence publicly split with former President Trump, criticising him for his role in the Jan 6, 2021, insurgence at the US Capitol.

The 64-year-old politician speculated that Republican primary voters would choose him for sticking to the US Constitution instead of following his former boss, Trump's orders, and playing along when asked to overturn the results of the 2020 elections.

His surprise withdrawal from the presidential race marks a pivotal moment in the campaign, spotlighting the tribulation for even Trump's loyal lieutenant in overpowering his former boss in the race to see who challenges Democratic President Joe Biden.

Rift between Trump and Pence

Trump chose Pence as his running mate for the 2016 elections. This was widely perceived as his move to solidify his support among conservative voters at that time. Pence remained by Trump's side throughout the many scandals during his tenure.

The loyalty, however, was not repaid as Trump targeted Pence in the run-up to the US Capitol riots (January 6, 2021). Trump wanted Pence to agree with his unproven stance that there was voter fraud in the election that he lost. This is seen as the breaking point in their relationship.

"Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution," Trump wrote on Twitter on the afternoon of Jan. 6, while rioters were calling for Pence to be hanged.

(With inputs from agencies)

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