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FILE - In this April 25, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speak in Cramerton, N.C. Gingrich is thanking his supporters a day before he officially suspends his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Gingrich released a video message on his website Tuesday saying he would bring the campaign to a close on Wednesday. The former House speaker said he would continue working to defeat President Barack Obama, whose re-election Gingrich said would be a “genuine disaster” for the country. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
As expected, the former House speaker has bowed out of the Republican presidential contest just short of a year after getting into the race. He did not immediately endorse Mitt Romney, the likely GOP nominee.
After losing contests in five states last week, Gingrich said it was clear that Romney would be the nominee and he signaled that his own topsy-turvy campaign had reached its end.
Gingrich now has the added challenges of rebuilding his image as a one-man GOP idea machine and paying off at least $4.5 million in campaign debt.
Joined by his wife for the announcement in Arlington, Va., Gingrich described the campaign as "an amazing year" for his entire family.