Pataki announces he's ending White House bid

BERLIN, N.H. (AP) — Former New York Gov. George Pataki has ended his bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, with just over a month to go before the first nominating contests begin.

"While tonight is the end of my journey for the White House as I suspend my campaign for president, I'm 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," said Pataki, 70.

A centrist Republican who led New York through the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Pataki 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.

Pataki appeared especially frustrated by Trump's rise, and zeroed in on his rival during the undercard debate earlier this month, declaring the New York real estate mogul unfit to be president of the United States.

Rob Cole, the executive director of We the People, Not Washington, a super PAC backing Pataki's bid, said in an email to supporters Tuesday evening that the group was "disheartened to see Governor Pataki drop out of the race" but "Not Giving Up."