FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Steve Laffey Ends Presidential Campaign
Colorado Politician also Resigns from Republican Party

FORT COLLINS, CO - October 6, 2023 - After eight months on the campaign trail, that featured
campaign stops from New Hampshire to Iowa, Republican Steve Laffey is ending his bid for the
Republican Presidential nomination.

The former Mayor of Cranston, RI is exiting the race and taking immediate action. After more
than 40 years as a registered Republican, Laffey is resigning from the party, effective
immediately.

As he exits the race for the White House, Laffey has released the following statement:
“The times truly have changed. For over a decade, I have grappled with profound shifts in our
political stance and in the Republican Party’s core views. I was kept out of the limelight ever
since the heart-wrenching day in 2015, when my daughter Sarah was diagnosed with Stage IV
cancer. Today, as I choose to end my campaign for President of the United States, I reflect on
my dedication to the Republican Party. For 44 years, ever since I was a teenager, I stayed
faithful to the Republican Party. From establishing a conservative newspaper at a liberal
college, to running for public office as a Republican in Rhode Island—a notoriously Democratic
state--, to even remaining a Republican after I was attacked by the National Republican Party
(NRP) after running for the U.S. Senate, to writing a book concerning the rejuvenation of the
Republican Party, I had always felt that the Republican Party’s principles reflected my own. I
have always stood by those principles that make up the foundation of our nation. I truly
believed that the Republican Party stood for justice, transparency, and for bettering the lives
of the people that live in these great United States.

However, what I've witnessed since 2015 has made it clear that our political sphere has
deviated far from its ideals. The Republican Party has become a laughingstock. From a
celebrity-driven race for the Presidency, to disturbing events in the House of Representatives,
it has become painfully apparent that the Republican Party no longer exists. What used to be
a Grand Old Party is now simply a placard for anyone to say anything, no matter how hurtful,
and no matter how false. Donald Trump is certainly the significant factor in this rapid
movement towards authoritarianism and away from the core principles of freedom and
economic growth. As the first candidate to challenge the dominance of Trump's influence, I
believed that there was a yearning in the Republican heart for a candidate free from his
shadow. However, the past eight months have proven me wrong.

Both sides of our split media claim to value confronting problems head-on while reporting
their version of the truth. However, it often seems to be more in favor of sensationalism over
substance. Serious policies and honest debates have taken a backseat, and it's disheartening
to witness candidates utter falsehoods without fear of accountability from those in the media
that should be calling them out. The most shocking moment was the nonchalance displayed
towards President Trump’s conviction of sexual abuse, further spotlighting the broken moral
compass of our times. As an evangelical Christian, the fact that this moment did not galvanize
all Christians against Trump is a failure so profound that it is unforgivable. When Trump took
to St. Anselm’s College the next day for a Town Hall event, I was the only one to call for the
St. Anselm’s event leaders to resign. Let me repeat myself: The only one. From everyone
else, there was only silence. Has it not been proven countless times in history that silence is
what brings a nation to its knees?

My campaign was perhaps one of the last strongholds offering sincere solutions to our
country's pressing issues. Unfortunately, as has been abundantly clear in the last few months,
the idea of celebrity has destroyed any candidate with substance or a true desire to help
others. During my time in the race, I have watched candidates lie to get into debates. I saw
complete sycophants and turncoats run for President. Some told voters that they still loved
Donald Trump and thought he was a great President, while others only turned their backs on
him when they didn’t gain employment with their endorsements. Disgusting.

As the first candidate to challenge the dominance of Trump's influence, I believed there was a
yearning in the republican heart for a candidate free from his shadow. But the past months
have proven me wrong. The media, which claims to value confronting problems head-on,
often seems to be more in favor of sensationalism over substance. Serious policies and honest
debates have taken a backseat, and it's disheartening to witness candidates utter falsehoods
without fear of accountability.

The title of my first book, "Primary Mistake, How the Washington Republican Establishment
Lost Everything in 2006” (Penguin Books 2007), was an effort to restore the Republican Party's
direction. My next book may be aptly named "Secondary Mistake, I Came, I Saw, I Wept”, as
it's become abundantly clear that the chasm within the party and our political system may be
beyond mending.

In reflection, I realize that my past endeavors, from Rhode Island to Colorado, have been
colored by my earnest belief that genuine effort and good governance would be recognized
and rewarded. But politics, it seems, is a game of recognition, not of merit. I have failed to
get the American public to take corrective action before it is too late.

My 2006 Senate race failed. My movie, Fixing America (2011) failed to change the course of
our country, and now, as the real crisis is upon us, I have failed again. The poor and the
middle class will suffer even more due to my failure. To my investors and friends, I am sorry.

Today, as I conclude my campaign and resign from the Republican Party, I hope that someone,
somewhere, will pick up the torch and guide our great nation back to its true essence. But for
now, it's time for me to step aside. I pray that the burden of the millions suffering will be
lifted from me. It has not happened yet.

“It's a good question to be asking right now, What'll you put up with, what'll you allow?”
Jackson Browne, Until Justice is Real.

The Laffey campaign would like to thank the media and all supporters who have followed
along on our journey. This may have started as a grassroots campaign, but it truly grew into a
strong examination of our political system.

For interviews with Laffey contact:
Mike Fahey, Fahey Communications
781.500.9398
mike@faheycomm.com