Donald Trump

Ben Carson Leaves Race for New Job at Voter Outreach Group

Before beginning his presidential bid, Carson was the face of an American Legacy PAC project on health care.

Ben Carson officially suspended his campaign Friday while speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, and announced a new direction in his career.   

The retired neurosurgeon said even though he's leaving the campaign trail, he won't stop fighting for the country. 

"I will continue to be heavily involved in trying to save nation," he said to rounding applause.

Carson is now a national chairman of My Faith Votes, a nonpartisan organization that encourages Christian Americans to vote, according to the group's website. 

“Nothing is more important to me than my personal faith, and it is my faith that motivated me to be involved in the political process to begin with,” Carson said in a statement provided to Politico. “I believe Christians in this country can easily determine the next president of the United States and all other national and local leaders, should they simply show up at the polls. When we do vote, We The People will once again solidify our commitment to the Judeo-Christian values upon which our nation was founded.”

Carson announced that he would skip Fox's GOP debate in Michigan on Thursday.

He said Wednesday in a statement on his website: "I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening’s Super Tuesday primary results. However, this grassroots movement on behalf of 'We the People' will continue."

Carson vowed to continue his "grassroots movement," which includes his 700,000 campaign donors, the majority of whom gave $200 or less.

In a video message posted on the My Faith Votes website, Carson said the group "helps people recognize that being a person of faith does not delete the responsibility to take part in the society in which you're living."

He said 25 million Evangelicals didn't vote in the last presidential election and that "last time was critical, but this time, it's life and death in terms of America as we know it. We absolutely must take this opportunity to make ourselves felt."  

He did not reference his candidacy in the video message or in his biography on the website. 

Carson had at one point surged in the chaotic Republican race for president on the strength of his calm demeanor, religious devotion and willingness to be politically incorrect. But that support waned, and Carson only managed to secure eight delegates in the Republican race. 

Before beginning his presidential bid, Carson was the face of an American Legacy PAC project on health care.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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