Myrtle Beach, SC, United States (AHN) – Jon Huntsman ended his run in the GOP presidential race Monday and endorsed Mitt Romney.
The former Utah governor, flanked by his wife and daughters, announced his decision to quit the presidential race at a news conference in Myrtle Beach.
Huntsman, who also served as U.S. ambassador to China under Democratic President Barack Obama, never gained traction in the Republican campaign.
He said he is calling on his party to unite and to end “an onslaught of negative and personal attacks” in the campaign. Huntsman said he is endorsing Romney, the candidate he feels has the best chance to beat Obama.
Huntsman lagged in public opinion polls. He finished third in New Hampshire, skipped Iowa, and early polls reported an extremely poor showing for Saturday’s primary in South Carolina.
Huntsman’s announcement came just hours before a debate for Republican candidates in the Palmetto State. His withdrawal leaves Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry still in the race.