(Reuters) - Republican Mitt Romney opted out of the 2016 presidential race on Friday after considering whether to run for a third time, telling supporters it is time for the next generation of Republican leaders to seek the White House.
"After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the party the opportunity to become our next nominee," Romney said in a statement that he read to supporters in a conference call from New York.