Gary Johnson to leave GOP race, run as Libertarian

Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson will drop out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination and instead seek to run as a Libertarian, according to the Independent Political Report.

The switch, which has been rumored for weeks, is set to be announced Tuesday.

Johnson's announcement comes as another Libertarian-minded candidate — Texas congressman Ron Paul — has pulled to within one percentage point of front-runner Newt Gingrich in Iowa, according to a poll released Tuesday by Public Policy Polling. But Johnson has never been able to gain traction in the GOP race, having only been invited to two debates.

Discussing the possible move late last month, Johnson told KOB Eyewitness News that the party had been unwilling to help him get included in the debates or polls.

"From what I see and hear on the ground, I think a lot more people embrace this message than not, and the Republicans certainly aren't even letting me be heard," Johnson said.

But Johnson believes his message could be better championed as the Libertarian candidate.

"The message wouldn't be changing at all," Johnson said. "It's just a message that hasn't gotten heard. Really, I feel pretty put off by the process and by Republicans not standing for me … just being in the polls to determine whether or not I should be in the debates or not."

Michigan's secretary of State told the Detroit Free Press Wednesday that Johnson would remain on their Republican ballot, along with Herman Cain, who dropped out of the race after allegations of sexual impropriety surfaced.

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