Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, once considered the Republican Party's most likely presidential nominee, is ending his campaign after a dismal showing in South Carolina's primary.
"The people of Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina have spoken, and I really respect their decision, so tonight I am suspending my campaign," he told backers in the Palmetto State.
Bush, who entered the race with great fanfare and trumpeted massive fundraising numbers early in his campaign, was ultimately weighed down by Republicans' concerns about continuing the political dynasty of his father and brother.
His campaign had hoped that South Carolina, a state rich with veterans and traditional Republican voters, would give the former governor a much-needed boost after big losses in Iowa and New Hampshire.
But with about half the vote counted, Bush registered only in a distant fourth place.
This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.