US Senator Rand Paul suspended his campaign to win the Republican presidential nomination Wednesday after a poor showing in Iowa.
The 53-year-old Paul, who describes himself as a libertarian stressing individual rights and privacy, finished fifth in the Iowa caucuses on Monday with 4.5 percent of the vote.
"It's been an incredible honor to run a principled campaign for the White House.
Today, I will end where I began, ready and willing to fight for the cause of Liberty," Paul said in a statement.
"I will continue to carry the torch for Liberty in the United States Senate and I look forward to earning the privilege to represent the people of Kentucky for another term."
Paul's removal leaves the Republican field still crowded with 10 White House hopefuls.