Politics & Government

Update: Herman Cain Now Former Presidential Candidate

As pundits expected, the Sandy Springs resident has suspended his run for president.

Herman Cain may be spending more time at his Sandy Springs home.

The former Godfather’s Pizza executive has suspended his run for president. He made the announcement, this afternoon, from his new campaign headquarters, which was to open today from metro Atlanta.

 “We can say, I’m in the 'Final Four,' ” Cain said to the crowd. “And when you think of where I came from on Pelham Street and the Fifth Ward, right here in Atlanta; and now to be in the 'Final Four' this is a great nation.”

Find out what's happening in Sandy Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the last 24 hours, pundits including Rich Galen a GOP strategist and former press secretary for Newt Gingrich, said they expected Cain to announce his withdrawal from the presidential race, today.

Appearing on “Anderson 360,” last night, Galen called Cain’s entire presidential campaign a sham to sell books.

Find out what's happening in Sandy Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I think the whole campaign was a fraud,” Galen said, “He was in it, I believe, to sell books and raise his name ID. It was like the play, “The Producers.”  He had no idea the play was going to be a success.”

In recent weeks, several women have accused the now former GOP presidential hopeful of sexual harassment, and this week, Ginger White, of Dunwoody, said she and Cain have carried on a 13-year affair.

Cain denied the allegation to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, on Monday. By Wednesday he seemed to open the door to withdrawing from the presidential race. And on Thursday, he appeared determined to stay in the race, but later in the day acknowledged to Fox News that he has given Ginger White money.

He maintained that reported allegations are not true, yet told Saturday's crowd, “I made many mistakes in my life.” He accused the media of putting a spin on the allegations against him.

“I am suspending my presidential campaign because of the continued distraction, the continued hurt on me and my family. Not because we are not fighters, not because I am not a fighter,” Cain said.

Recent scrutiny affected the candidate’s ability to raise money to be competitive, he said.

Cain plans to continue to push forth his ideas on a new website,  thecainsolutions.com, and endorse a candidate.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here