WASHINGTON -- Former New York Gov. George Pataki is ending his longshot bid for the presidency, according to multiple reports.
Pataki, a moderate Republican who led his state of New York during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, had not held office since 2007. The news was first reported by The Boston Globe.
Scoop: @GovernorPataki is calling his NH supporters this afternoon telling him he will drop his bid for president #fitn— James Pindell (@JamesPindell) December 29, 2015
Pataki weighed launching a presidential campaign in 2000, 2008 and 2012, but never announced a bid. During the 2016 cycle, Pataki struggled to win over establishment Republicans and donors who flocked to bigger names like Jeb Bush and Chris Christie.
During his brief presidential campaign, Pataki focused much of his attention on New Hampshire, where he bought television advertisements and opened a campaign office.
Pataki was never able to gain a spot on the main stage for a Republican presidential debate, and ultimately was unable to even take the stage in the so-called "undercard" debates during several primary debates this cycle.
With Pataki's exit for the race, there are now 12 major Republican candidates for president.