Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) called for Republican presidential candidates to drop out and support former President Donald Trump.

Daines, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, shared the remarks after former Vice President Mike Pence suspended his campaign on Saturday.

Sen. Daines to Rest of GOP Field: Drop Out, Coalesce Behind Trump for President
HELL YEAH QUIT FKG AROUND!!! https://t.co/oZDSNNFQIV

— Fred Johnson (@FredJoh26842729) October 29, 2023

The comments

“I was surprised, but I think that’s the right move,” Daines said.

“Because it’s clear President Trump is going to be the nominee for Republicans for president, and the sooner we coalesce around him the better it’s going to be,” Daines added.

The stage was set for the non-Trump field. He stole the show. https://t.co/4aGckXYRw8 via @politico

— Rebecca Sommer (@sommer_reb62150) October 29, 2023

The impact

"But the former vice president had very little share of the primary vote, according to the polls. And it’s unclear who will benefit from the suspension of his campaign," Politico reported over Pence's campaign announcement.

"At least one prominent Republican used the announcement not to celebrate the possibility of a narrower field but to call on everyone else not named Trump to follow suit," it continued, speaking of Daines.

Doug Burgum has officially lasted longer than the former Vice President of the United States. What a time to be alive.https://t.co/NpV8COfr2a

— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) October 28, 2023

Pence's announcement

"He made the announcement at the Republican Jewish Coalition Conference in Las Vegas, which also featured speeches from other major GOP candidates running for the White House," the Daily Wire reported.

“I came here to say it’s become clear to me this is not my time,” Pence said. “So, after much prayer and deliberation, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president effective today.”

Despite Pence's decision, several GOP presidential candidates continue to fight to gain ground against Trump ahead of next year's primary races.

The third GOP debate, which Trump plans to boycott, has so far only qualified four other candidates. They include Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Only DeSantis and Haley have scored high enough to vie for the second spot, but both still fall far behind Trump in current nationwide polls. The battle may be for second place or perhaps a potential vice presidential option if Trump makes an offer to a current candidate in the 2024 race.