After receiving only 7.8% of the vote in the South Carolina primary, Jeb Bush announced that he was suspending his campaign for President. It ends several days of wild speculation that his campaign was at an end. The Resurgent reported earlier in the week that a conference call had announced that payroll for staff was ending today. The report was picked up by Politico with the addition that staff members were circulating resumes. In an interview with Megyn Kelly Friday night on Fox News, Jeb dismissed the report but did not deny it.
Jeb was the original favorites among Republicans and many expected a Clinton-Bush rematch in the November election. Jeb was the favorite target of Donald Trump and Jeb was one of the few Republican candidates to attack back.
In his farewell speech, he thanked family and staff who had stuck with him and congratulated the remaining candidates “on the island.” (no doubt a reality TV smack). He made no reference to any endorsements, but simply spoke going home to sleep with his best friend and in a touching moment kissed his wife Columba.
At Marco Rubio’s headquarters in Colombia, Governor Nikki Haley congratulated the governor on his campaign. Likewise, Marco Rubio referred to Governor Bush as “the greatest Governor Florida has ever had” and hoped that his career of public service would continue.