Lindsey Graham drops 2016 presidential bid

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced Monday that he is dropping out of the 2016 presidential race.

"I'm going to suspend my campaign," he told CNN. "I'm not going to suspend my desire to help the country."

Graham dominated several undercard Republican debates, but his lackluster polling numbers never qualified the hawkish senator for the main stage. Monday also marked the deadline for candidates to drop off of the primary ballot in his home state, as Politico notes.

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"I regret that I haven't been a better candidate. I regret that I never got on the big stage. I regret that I didn't make it to the final group," Graham said. "But that's just about me. I have no regrets about running for president. It has been the joy of my life to run for president of the United States."