Former New York Gov. George Pataki announced late Tuesday he is suspending his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination "While tonight is the end of my journey for the White House as I suspend my campaign for president, I am confident we can elect the right person.
Someone who will bring us together and who understands that politicians including the president must be the people's servant and not their master," Pataki said in a video announcing his decision.
"I know the best of America is still ahead of us."
Pataki, who led New York through the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, failed to gain traction in a crowded field of candidates during an election season that has so far favored outsiders like billionaire businessman Donald Trump.
"If we're truly going to make America great again, we need to elect a president who will do three things: Confront and defeat radical Islam, shrink the size of Washington, and unite us again in our belief in this great country," Pataki said.