Former President Donald Trump thanked former GOP presidential candidate Perry Johnson for his endorsement, calling him “brilliant.”
“Perry Johnson is a brilliant businessman who has enjoyed great success,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Above all, he loves our country! After a valiant effort, he is now leaving the race for president to do other things, which I have no doubt will be very successful. It is a great honor for me to have received his full endorsement. I will make Perry very proud of this decision, because we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The long-shot candidate suspended his campaign on Friday, saying, “The corruption among leaders at the (Republican National Committee) during this process was appalling.”
Mr. Johnson did not qualify for the first two GOP debates — often registering at 0% in the polls — and was not on the path of qualifying for the third debate.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the people should decide the next president of the United States, not the head of the RNC and her cronies,” he wrote. “With no opportunity to share my vision on the debate stage, I have decided at this time, suspending my campaign is the right thing to do.”
Mr. Johnson, a businessman and author from Michigan, announced his endorsement of Mr. Trump on Monday. “There is now only one candidate in this race who can provide a solution to our nation’s economic, foreign policy and social crisis, and most importantly, beat Joe Biden at the ballot box,” he said.
He said that he supported Mr. Trump in 2016 and 2020 and that he looks “forward to assisting in efforts to elect him next year and uniting with other conservatives to defeat Joe Biden in November.”
“During President Trump’s first term, our nation saw historic peace agreements, no new wars, an economic revival, and forged a new path forward away from corrupt, establishment career politicians,” he said. “I supported President Trump in 2016 and 2020, and am proud to offer him my full endorsement once again as he seeks the Republican nomination for President in 2024.”
Mr. Trump continues to be the front-runner for the Republican Party.
Mr. Johnson is the third person to drop out of the GOP presidential race. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez dropped out in August and Texas Rep. Will Hurd dropped out earlier this month.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.