Gingrich To End His Presidential Campaign

Newt Gingrich is planning to officially end his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination with an announcement Wednesday in Arlington, Va.

The former House speaker had indicated he would leave the race after he finished poorly in five Northeastern primaries last week.

On Tuesday, Gingrich thanked supporters in a video message posted on his website, saying their "help was vital."

He pledged to work hard to prevent the "genuine disaster" he says would come from re-electing President Barack Obama, but did not mention Mitt Romney, the all-but-certain GOP presidential nominee.

Gingrich won only two contests — in South Carolina and in Georgia, which he represented in Congress for 20 years. His campaign has reported being more than $4 million in debt.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)