Jeb Bush ended his campaign seeking the Republican nomination for president Saturday after a disappointing finish in South Carolina.

The former Florida governor and political scion told supporters in Columbia that he'd tried to stay true to what he believes.

"I'm proud of the campaign that we've run to unify our country and to advocate conservative solutions," Bush said. "The presidency is bigger than any one person. It's certainly bigger than any one candidate."

>> Read more trending stories

Bush was lagging far behind in the primary in South Carolina, where his well-organized campaign was outmatched by insurgent billionaire Donald Trump, and Sens. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

About the Author

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP