Carly Fiorina Suspends 2016 Presidential Campaign

— -- Carly Fiorina is suspending her presidential campaign, she announced today.

"While I suspend my candidacy today, I will continue to travel this country and fight for those Americans who refuse to settle for the way things are and a status quo that no longer works for them," Fiorina wrote in a statement released Wednesday, one day after finishing in 7th place in the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary.

Fiorina vowed to continue fighting against the forces of crony capitalism that she warned in her campaign have led to an unfair partnership between government and the rich and powerful, while disadvantaging normal working class Americans. The only woman candidate in the Republican primary contest, Fiorina also encouraged women and girls to define feminism on their own terms.

"Do not let others define you. Do not listen to anyone who says you have to vote a certain way or for a certain candidate because you're a woman," she said. "That is not feminism. Feminism doesn't shut down conversations or threaten women. It is not about ideology. It is not a weapon to wield against your political opponent. A feminist is a woman who lives the life she chooses and uses all her God-given gifts."

Fiorina gained some traction in the Republican primary last fall following a strong performance in the first televised Republican presidential debate. After participating in the undercard debate, Fiorina saw a jolt to her poll numbers and earned a spot on the main debate stage for several forums thereafter.

She was ultimately unable to sustain the momentum and her poll numbers began to slip.

Florina's opposition to abortion and Planned Parenthood became a central issue of her campaign, with the candidate repeatedly accusing the women's health organization of supporting the harvesting fetal body parts for profit.

Fiorina launched her long-shot bid for the Republican nomination last May, touting her business credentials and status as a political outsider. She has never held public office but mounted a failed challenge to California Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2010.

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