Michigan businessman Perry Johnson endorsed former President Donald Trump after suspending his long-shot 2024 White House campaign last week.
In a statement released on Monday, Perry argued Trump is the only remaining GOP candidate who can defeat President Joe Biden in what could be a 2020 rematch.
“After suspending my campaign for President on Friday, there is now only one candidate in this race who can provide a solution to our nation’s economic, foreign policy and social crises, and most importantly, beat Joe Biden at the ballot box. That person is Donald Trump,” Johnson said.
“During President Trump’s first term, our nation saw historic peace agreements, no new wars, an economic revival, and forged a new path forward away from corrupt, establishment career politicians,” Johnson added. “I supported President Trump in 2016 and 2020, and am proud to offer him my full endorsement once again as he seeks the Republican nomination for President in 2024.”
He concluded, “I look forward to assisting in efforts to elect him next year and uniting with other conservatives to defeat Joe Biden in November.”
After his GOP campaign to become Michigan governor the year prior hit a snag due to an alleged signature forgery scheme that kept him off the primary ballot, Perry announced a presidential bid in March. He pitched a plan to cut 2 cents off of every dollar of federal discretionary spending to “end inflation and solve the debt crisis.”
But Perry’s White House endeavor failed to gain traction in a crowded field vying for the GOP nomination. Trump is the frontrunner, with the RealClearPolitics national polling average showing him far ahead of the next-closest candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, while Perry showed up at 0% in some polls.
Johnson, 75, became third candidate to bow out this year, following Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and former Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX). When Hurd suspended his campaign this month, he endorsed former Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for president.
In announcing the suspension of his campaign last week, Johnson begrudged not qualifying for the debate stage. “With no opportunity to share my vision on the debate stage, I have decided at this time, suspending my campaign is the right thing to do,” he said.
