Rick Santorum Ends Campaign for President

The former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania's resounding defeat in Iowa was apparently the death knell for his floundering bid for the White House.

Dawn Ennis

The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.

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Dawn Ennis

February 03 2016 2:33 PM EST

November 25 2017 9:08 PM EST

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Media reports say Rick Santorum is dropping out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination.

CNN reports that two Republican sources say Santorum decided to end his bid, and is expected to announce he's withdrawing from the campaign tonight.

The former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania told the Des Moines Register on Monday it was time to reconsider going forward. "We are going to spend a couple of days just thinking and praying, and figure out what we are going to do, and we will make a decision," Santorum said.

During his campaign, Santorum told a right-wing TV host in November that support for transgender youth fostered "gender confusion" among young people. He also was one of six Republican presidential candidates who pledged in December to support legislation that would permit discrimination against LGBT people.

According to Raycom News Network, Santorum's strong showing in 2012, when he won the Iowa caucus, was something he could not replicate in 2016. This time, he finished 11th in Monday's Iowa caucuses, drawing just one percent of the vote.

Earlier today, fellow Republican Rand Paul also suspended his campaign for president, saying he plans to focus on his reelection bid to represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee suspended his campaign for president Monday, unable to replicate his own strong performance in 2008, when he won the Iowa caucus.