Doug Burgum Suspends 2024 Presidential Campaign Citing RNC Debate Requirements

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has announced that he is suspending his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Burgum cited the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) debate requirements as a major factor in his decision.

In a statement, Burgum said that the RNC’s debate requirements are “nationalizing the primary process and taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire.” He also noted that anyone trying to predict the 2024 GOP race is “just shooting in the dark.”

Burgum’s campaign had been struggling to gain name recognition from voters and he did not meet the requirements to qualify for the third GOP debate last month. He also seemed unlikely to meet the requirements for the debate scheduled for Wednesday.

Chris Christie, a former New Jersey governor and 2016 presidential candidate, commented on Burgum’s decision, saying that the RNC’s debate requirements are making it difficult for lesser-known candidates to gain traction in the race.

The RNC’s debate requirements have been a source of controversy in the Republican presidential primary, with some arguing that they are unfairly excluding candidates who do not have high name recognition. Burgum’s decision to suspend his campaign is likely to add to the debate over the RNC’s rules.