Newt Gingrich to drop out of presidential race

Washington, Apr 26 (ANI): US Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has planned to drop out of the White House race next week.

Gingrich, who had been hoping to win the Delaware primary, but was defeated there and in four other states, said he expected Mitt Romney would be the Republican nominee.

"I do think it's pretty clear that Gov. Romney is ultimately going to be the nominee and we're going to do everything we can to make sure that he is, in fact, effective and that we as a team are effective both in winning this fall and then, frankly, in governing," he said.

According to Fox News, the former HHHouse Speaker will keep his scheduled stops in North Carolina, planned for this week and exit the race on Tuesday.

The report also said that he is expected to endorse Romney on Tuesday.

Gingrich did not formally withdraw from the race, but said he is now campaigning as a 'citizen.'

"I want you to know that I've been coming here a long time as a citizen, I'm going to keep coming as a citizen, I have a schedule through the rest of the week as a citizen," he said. (ANI)