Gov. Scott Walker To Drop Out Of 2016 GOP Race

Republican presidential candidate Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker talks to potential voters during a campaign stop at Lori's Cafe, Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, in Midland, Texas. (Courtney Sacco/Odessa American via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker plans to drop out of the presidential race today after failing to find traction in a crowded Republican presidential field, The New York Times first reported.

Walker is set to hold a press conference in Madison, Wis. at 6 p.m. ET on Monday. Multiple news outlets confirmed the news Monday afternoon.

Walker became a conservative darling after signing legislation to curb Wisconsin public sector unions’ collective bargaining rights in 2011. But early polling has shown support for the governor, once viewed among the Republicans’ strongest 2016 prospects, fading fast. After a lackluster performance in the second Republican presidential debate last week, Walker was polling at less than one-half percent.

The governor, who was scheduled to fundraise this week in New York, Washington, and New Hampshire this week, saw the campaign money start to dry up after repeated missteps on the national stage.

In an attempt to recapture the mojo that fueled his meteoric rise, Walker said Sept. 14 he would seek national organized labor restrictions similar to the policies he championed in Wisconsin as President.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry was the first to leave the GOP race on Sept. 11.

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