Jon Huntsman bowed out of the presidential race in Myrtle Beach today as state Attorney General Alan Wilson looked on along with Iris and Mike Campbell, the widow and son of the late S.C. Gov. Carroll Campbell.
Huntsman thanked his S.C. team for their hard work before throwing his support behind frontrunner Mitt Romney. He also encouraged all candidates to stop the mud slinging that has been a constant in the days leading up to Saturday’s S.C. primary.
Negative ads, crafted by the various candidates’ super political action committees, are currently airing in all of the state’s four, major media markets.
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“Today I call on each campaign to cease attacking each other,” Huntsman said. “Let's invest our time and resources in building trust with the American people.”
Mike Campbell, Huntman’s S.C. campaign director, said he and his mother are not endorsing Romney even though Huntsman is.
Mike Campbell said he will meet with some of the other candidates later today and may endorse someone else.
“Obviously, Huntsman endorsing Romney has some sway with me since I trust his judgment,” said Mike Campbell.
Huntsman’s other prominent S.C. backers include Wilson, former state Attorney General Henry McMaster and state Sen. John Courson, R-Richland.
Since announcing his candidacy six months ago, Huntsman has consistently polled in the single digits in the Palmetto State. Despite efforts to be the “consistent conservative” in the race, he never caught fire.
There is no word yet on whether his S.C. political consultant, Rick Quinn, will stay out of the race or jump on board with another candidate.
-- Gina Smith
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