The field of Republican presidential contenders is narrowing further, after former New York Governor George Pataki said he is ending his race for president.
Pataki, who was the governor of New York during the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, announced the end of his longshot presidential bid Tuesday in a television ad.
"While tonight is the end of my journey for the White House as I suspend my campaign for president, I'm confident we can elect the right person, someone who will bring us together," he said.
The 70-year-old, who has relatively centrist political views compared to many of his GOP rivals, had struggled to raise funds and had barely registered in national opinion polls.
Pataki was a strong critic of Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, saying the billionaire businessman was divisive and unfit to lead the United States.
With Pataki's departure, the field of Republican presidential contenders has been narrowed to 12 ahead of the first nominating contest, which is set for February 1 in Iowa.