Republican Candidate Lindsey Graham Announces the End to his Presidential Campaign

Senator Lindsey Graham has dropped out of the 2016 presidential race on Monday.

"Today, I'm suspending my campaign for president," Graham, 60, said in a web video. "I believe we have run a campaign you can be proud of. We put forward bold and practical solutions to big problems like retiring our debt and fixing a broken immigration system. This has been a problem solver's campaign." Watch the video here:

The Republican from South Carolina, who never got enough support to truly have a shot at the presidential bid, stated that he is proud to have started a conversation about fighting the terrorist group known as the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL).

"Four months ago, at the very first debate, I said that any candidate who did not understand that we need more American troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria to defeat ISIL was not ready to be commander in chief," Graham, who had proposed sending at least 10,000 U.S. troops, said. "At that time, no one stepped forward to join me. Today, most of my fellow candidates have come to recognize this is what's needed."

Graham's decision to suspend his campaign was confirmed by Matt Moore within 40 minutes. Moore, the chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, stated that Graham's name was removed from the state ballot. Now, South Carolina is up for grabs by candidates such as Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio, who have been eyeing it for months.

Brett O'Donnell, Graham's strategist, stated, reported by The Washington Post, "It's something he's been contemplating for a while and he waited for a bit, just wanted to make sure. It came together over the weekend but it's been on his mind for a few weeks. If you know him, you know he's fiscally responsible. He was raised that way and he didn't want to go into debt on the campaign. I know that was weighing on him. He wanted to go out on his own terms. So, after a great debate last week -- he dominated the undercard in our view -- it was time. He ends it on a high."

In the primary polls, Graham never reached more than two percent. Despite the failure to gain support, Graham received a lot of elite backing. He had the support of Senator John McCain as well as other wealthy donors from South Carolina.

Graham stated that he will be spending time with his family and does not have plans to endorse a candidate at the moment.