Ben Carson sees no path forward for him in US election race

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson said Wednesday he does "not see a political path forward" in the 2016 Republican presidential primary race, essentially ending a campaign that soared early last year only to steadily lose steam.

"I appreciate the support, financial and otherwise, from all corners of America. Gratefully, my campaign decisions are not constrained by finances; rather by what is in the best interests of the American people," he said in a statement.

Carson, the only African-American in the race to succeed President Barack Obama, said he will discuss his political future on Friday in a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference, near Washington.