George Pataki drops out of 2016 presidential race

“The former NY governor told USA TODAY last month that the presidential race was turning into a “‘reality gong show”.

The news of Pataki’s likely withdrawal from the race was first reported by the Boston Globe.

Two Pataki supporters said they talked with the former three-term governor and said they weren’t surprised but disappointed to hear the news.

Nancy Stiles, a New Hampshire state senator, also confirmed receiving a call Tuesday from Pataki, though she declined to say whether his future was discussed until the former governor made a public announcement.

But he failed to gain traction in the polls, averaging 1 percent.

A spokesman for Pataki did not respond to a request for comment. During the 2016 cycle, Pataki struggled to win over establishment Republicans and donors who flocked to bigger names like Jeb Bush and Chris Christie.

He never appeared on the main stage at Republican debates, but was instead relegated to the undercard events.

George Pataki makes a point during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Venetian Hotel & Casino on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, in Las Vegas. There are now a dozen major Republicans running for president.