Long-shot Republican presidential candidate Perry Johnson has announced that he is suspending his campaign, citing a lack of opportunity to share his vision on the debate stage. Johnson, a Michigan businessman and quality control industry expert, failed to qualify for the first two Republican presidential nomination debates, sparking criticism of the Republican National Committee's (RNC) polling and donor thresholds.

In a statement announcing his decision, Johnson expressed his disappointment with the RNC, stating, "I must admit, the corruption among leaders at the RNC during this process was appalling." He further asserted that the American people should decide the next president, not the head of the RNC and her cronies.

Despite the challenges he faced, Johnson emphasized that his time on the campaign trail gave him a renewed sense of hope for America's future. "The extraordinary people I've met and befriended across the country, especially in Iowa and New Hampshire, gives me a renewed sense of hope that America's best days are ahead," he said. Johnson described running for America's highest office as "the honor of a lifetime" and expressed gratitude for having his family by his side throughout the journey.

While Johnson is suspending his presidential campaign, he hinted at the possibility of pivoting to a Senate bid in Michigan. He acknowledged the calls he has received to run for the open seat in Michigan, stating, "Obviously, it's no secret that I've had a lot of calls to run for this seat because they do want to win this seat." However, he emphasized that his focus is currently on the presidential race and that running for the Senate would require careful consideration.

Months after initially missing the first primary debate stage, Johnson's decision to suspend his campaign comes as he remains on the ballot in early states like New Hampshire. He attended the NH GOP's First in the Nation Leadership Summit just days before making the announcement. Johnson is the third candidate to drop out of the presidential race, following Rep. Will Hurd and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

Throughout his campaign, Johnson took aim at the RNC, even filing an FEC complaint against the committee and Fox News, accusing them of colluding to cherry-pick debate participants. Although he has suspended his campaign, Johnson has not ruled out moving forward with the complaints. His campaign stated, "he's not ruled anything out" when asked about the legal battle he previously alluded to.

Johnson, an author and wealthy businessman, primarily funded his presidential campaign with his own money. His campaign disclosure reports show that he loaned $12 million to his campaign and contributed over $1.5 million worth of flights through his private plane.

While Johnson's campaign may have come to an end, he plans to remain actively involved in the 2024 election. He expressed his commitment to helping Republicans win across the country and indicated that he will keep a small political team on staff in case the dynamics of the 2024 presidential race change. Additionally, his name will still appear on the ballot in early nominating contests, including the New Hampshire primary.