U.S. Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum has pulled out of the race for commander in chief.

The former Pennsylvania senator held a news conference in Gettysburg on Tuesday and announced the suspension of his campaign. He added he will continue to fight so a Republican candidate will beat President Barack Obama in November's presidential election.

Santorum jumpstarted his campaign with a win in the Iowa caucus in January despite lacking the financial strength and organization of Republican front-runner Mitt Romney.

Santorum apparently decided to end his run as Romney holds a virtually insurmountable lead in delegates needed to clinch the nomination at the party's convention in August. He also hinted that his youngest daughter’s health problems were a factor.

With Santorum abandoning his bid, Romney is likely to become the Republican Party’s presidential candidate.