Former Florida governor Jeb Bush -- brother and son to two US presidents -- dropped out of the White House race, ending a campaign that never really took off despite major donor backing and his name recognition.
"Tonight, I am suspending my campaign," Bush said after a disappointing showing in South Carolina's Republican primary, appearing to fight back tears.
"I'm proud of the campaign that we have run to unify our country."
The 62-year-old Bush never could shed the narrative that he was a tarnished candidate unable to generate enthusiasm for yet another Bush presidency amid the current appetite for outsiders like Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
Bush went all-out to improve his standing in South Carolina, with his former president brother George W. Bush hitting the campaign trail on his behalf.
But he failed to connect with voters.