DeSantis suspends presidential campaign, endorses Trump

In a video message posted on Sunday afternoon, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he did not have a clear path to victory this year. He thanked his family, donors, and supporters but said he could not justify keeping staff on to continue his campaign. He also criticized fellow GOP candidate Nikki Haley and endorsed former President Donald Trump: “He has my endorsement because we can’t go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear—a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism that Nikki Haley represents.”

How does this change the race? With the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, DeSantis’ exit likely will boost Trump’s numbers. DeSantis was receiving support from only about 11 percent of GOP primary voters nationally, and he has been losing points since he announced his candidacy in May. He came in a surprising but distant second in the Iowa caucuses but has only 5 percent support in New Hampshire. According to several polls, most DeSantis supporters listed Trump as their second choice.

Dig deeper: Read my report from Iowa about why DeSantis voters picked him over Trump in the caucuses.