John Kasich exits the presidential race, leaving Trump as presumptive nominee

U.S. Ohio state governor John Kasich is suspending his bid for the White House, leaving New York billionaire Donald Trump uncontested in the Republican presidential race, multi networks reported on Wednesday.

A Kasich spokesman said the underdog hopeful will make a formal statement in his home state at 5 p.m. eastern time.

Kasich was supposed to speak with reporters at the Dulles airport in Virginia Wednesday morning but didn't show up. His campaign later confirmed he was not going to Dulles, the Fox News reported.

Texas senator Ted Cruz dropped out of the race Tuesday night after having finished a distant second in the crucial Indiana primary. Kasich placed last in the contest.

Both of Cruz and Kasich were already "mathematically dead" in the quest for a majority of delegates before the Indiana primary in which their strategy to join forces to deny Trump the nomination was also proved in vain.

Kasich has won just one state during the race so far-- his home state of Ohio. He trailed Trump by some 900 delegates.

(Xinhua)