(NEWSnet/AP) — Conservative talk radio host Larry Elder announced Thursday he is ending his 2024 Republican campaign for president and will endorse former President Donald Trump.

Elder, who sought to unseat California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a failed 2021 recall effort, said he had made a “difficult decision” to end his bid after “careful consideration and consultation” with his team.

Elder, said now is the time to unite behind Trump to defeat Joe Biden. He also said he hopes his campaign had shed light on issues important to him, including fatherlessness, fighting crime and opposition to the idea that the U.S. is a racist country.

Elder announced his long-shot campaign in April, saying, “America is in decline, but this decline in not inevitable.”

Elder is the fourth major candidate to suspend or end his 2024 GOP bid. Others are Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Texas congressman Will Hurd and and businessman Perry Johnson.

Elder found little visibility in a primary race dominated by Trump and involving other high-profile candidates including former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Elder, who is Black, has criticized Democrats' “woke” agenda, Black Lives Matter and the notion of systemic racism.

Copyright 2023 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.