Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that he is not seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. The announcement put to rest rumors that he was contemplating a run.
Pompeo, who served as former President Donald Trump’s secretary of state, confirmed his decision to Fox News host Bret Baier on Friday.
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“Susan and I have concluded, after much consideration and prayer, that I will not present myself as a candidate to become President of the United States in the 2024 election,” Pompeo later confirmed via Twitter.
“I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to advance America in a way that fit the time and the moment. This is not that time or that moment for me to seek elected office again,” he added.
The 59-year-old former Cabinet member said the decision not to run was a “personal” one, and he said he will remain focused on roles that he has already occupied as a business leader and Bible school teacher. Pompeo apologized to fans that found his decision disappointing, but he said he has not ruled out a run several years from now.
Pompeo served as the director of the CIA and as a member of the House of Representatives before his role as secretary of state.
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Pompeo, who served in the Army as a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, is the latest conservative leader to solidify his plans for seeking the Republican nomination. Trump, former South Carolina GOP Gov. and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and entrepreneur and author Vivek Ramaswamy have confirmed they are running.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former Vice President Mike Pence, and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) are still considered possible contenders and are expected to announce their final decision later this year.
