'The GOP is dead': Presidential candidate scorches party as he quits the race

Former mayor of Cranston-turned 2024 GOP presidential candidate Steve Laffey is dropping out the race. In a statement to ABC News, he said he loved being on the campaign trail but was disappointed he "wasn't able to cross the chasm."

Laffey's low name recognition hobbled him throughout the campaign and now he's the second GOP candidate to drop out. But aside from his struggle to gain popularity and fundraising issues, he said he's fed up with his party.

"I don't have an avenue to tell people with a straight face, 'It's now October -- how do I take off and take New Hampshire and keep going?' But at the same time, I'm telling people the GOP is dead," he said.

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Now he plans to register as an Independent.

"I am really, really upset about certain things with my party. I will be leaving the party," he said, adding that he also thinks Donald Trump should be in jail.

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"He's an authoritarian figure who's getting stronger," Laffey said.

Read more at ABC News.