Mike Pence, former vice president, drops out of Republican presidential campaign

LAS VEGAS, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence ended his cash-strapped presidential campaign on Saturday, after struggling for months to convince Republican voters he was the best alternative to the man he once served with unswerving loyalty, Donald Trump.

Pence's surprise announcement at the Republican Jewish Coalition donor conference in Las Vegas made him the first big-name candidate to drop out. Trump is the runaway frontrunner in the race.

"Traveling over the country over the past six months, I came here to say it's become clear to me: This is not my time. So after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today," Pence told the audience to gasps and, later, prolonged claps and cheers of support.

Pence stopped short of endorsing anyone in his speech but seemed to swipe at his former boss.

"I urge all my fellow Republicans here, give our country a Republican standard bearer that will, as Lincoln said, appeal to the better angels of our nature," Pence said, adding it should also be someone who leads the country with "civility."

A source close to Pence laughed when asked whether he would endorse Trump.

At a rally later on Saturday, Trump said Pence should endorse him because he had a "great, successful presidency... I chose him, made him vice president." But, Trump added, "people in politics can be very disloyal."

A spokesperson for Pence did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his endorsement plans.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Trump did not mention Pence in their speeches at the donor conference. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who was Trump's ambassador to the U.N., praised Pence as a fighter for America and Israel.

DeSantis later posted on social media platform X that Pence was a "principled man of faith."

More candidates might soon follow Pence in dropping out, consolidating the wide field of contenders. With more than a half dozen candidates, donors seeking alternatives to Trump have been reticent to open their pocketbooks.

 Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence sits down with NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert (not pictured) for a town hall event at NewsNation's headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., September 13, 2023. uwantnewsinfo.blogspot.com/Jim Vondruska/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights