After a disappointing showing in New Hampshire, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced that she is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to do the same soon.
Fiorina announced the news on her Facebook page this afternoon. She began her campaign in May 2015.
She wrote:
“While I suspend my candidacy today, I will continue to travel this country and fight for those Americans who refuse to settle for the way things are and a status quo that no longer works for them.”
Fiorina also told young women not to let anyone but themselves define who they are:
“Do not listen to anyone who says you have to vote a certain way or for a certain candidate because you're a woman. That is not feminism. Feminism doesn't shut down conversations or threaten women. It is not about ideology. It is not a weapon to wield against your political opponent. A feminist is a woman who lives the life she chooses and uses all her God-given gifts. And always remember that a leader is not born, but made. Choose leadership.”
Fiorina struggled to make a mark during the race and only received 4.1 percent of the vote in New Hampshire on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. It did not help that she was not invited to the last debate before the primary. She actually did better than Ben Carson, who was invited to the debate.
Christie also failed to earn any delegates from New Hampshire and only received 7.4 percent of the vote. A source told the New York Times that Christie will drop out. His finish in the Granite State was particularly embarrassing because he spent so much time there in recent weeks.
Donald Trump won the primary with 35.3 percent of the vote.