Rick Santorum
(Image: AP)

(AP) – Rick Santorum quit the presidential campaign today, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim the Republican nomination.

Santorum, appearing with his wife and family in his home state of Pennsylvania, told supporters the race for him was over, but the fight to defeat President Barack Obama would go on.
Santorum made no mention of Romney, and stressed that he’d gone farther than anyone expected, competing “against all odds.”

Romney has more than twice as many delegates as Santorum and is on pace to reach the number needed to clinch the nomination – 1,144 – by early June. Still in the race, but not considered a factor: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

Mitt Romney is congratulating Santorum on his presidential campaign, calling him “an able and worthy competitor.” In a statement, Romney said Santorum has “proven himself to be an important voice” in the Republican Party and in the nation.