Roemer quitting GOP race to go independent

Former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer says he’ll formally end his bid for the GOP presidential nomination on Thursday night and will continue his campaign as an independent. “As the GOP and the networks host debate No. 20-something this evening, they have once again turned their backs on the democratic process by choosing to exclude a former governor and congressman,” Roemer says in a statement released this morning, alluding to his being left out of tonight’s GOP debate in Arizona. “I have decided to take my campaign directly to the American people by declaring my candidacy for Americans Elect. Also, after many discussions with the Reform Party, I am excited to announce my intentions of seeking their nomination.” Roemer’s speech Thursday will take place at 11 a.m. in Santa Monica, Calif. You can watch it online here. In other Roemer-related news, the Republican Party of Puerto Rico says Roemer will be the first name on the ballot for the island’s March 18 primary. Roemer won the spot in a lottery overseen by election officials in the U.S. island territory. The second spot goes to Mitt Romney, followed by Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Fred Karger and Rick Santorum. Puerto Ricans cannot vote in the general election but they can vote in primaries. About 400,000 people are expected to cast ballots in the Republican primary to chose 23 delegates, which are awarded proportionally unless one candidate gets 50% of the vote.