The number of Republican candidates running for the presidential nomination is finally narrowing down.
After experiencing disappointing showings in the New Hampshire primary last Tuesday, Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina have both decided to suspend their campaigns for the Republican presidential bid.
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In Tuesday's primary, Christie came in sixth place, accounting for 7 percent of the vote, while Fiorina came in seventh place with 4.1 percent.
Both Fiorina and Christie announced the end of their campaigns via social media. Their statements not only disclosed the end of their runs for the presidential nomination, but also reflections on their campaigns as a whole.
A part of Fiorina's message was dedicated to women in particular. "To young girls and women across the country, I say: do not let others define you. Do not listen to anyone who says you have to vote a certain way or for a certain candidate because you're a woman. That is not feminism. Feminism doesn't shut down conversations or threaten women. It is not about ideology. It is not a weapon to wield against your political opponent. A feminist is a woman who lives the life she chooses and uses all her God-given gifts. And always remember that a leader is not born, but made. Choose leadership."
In a statement on his Facebook page, Christie noted the importance of speaking one's mind. "I ran for president with the message that the government needs to once again work for the people, not the people work for the government," he said. "And while running for president I tried to reinforce what I have always believed - that speaking your mind matters, that experience matters, that competence matters and that it will always matter in leading our nation."
Still left in the running for the Republican presidential nomination are Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, John Kasich, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump.
Trump is the current Republican frontrunner, but competition is tight amongst Kasich and Cruz. The next Republican primary will take place in South Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 20. Stay tuned for the results.
