UPSET: Santorum Says Sayonara to Presidential Campaign Trail

Today Rick Santorum announced that he would suspend his campaign.

CBS News reports that the former Pennsylvania senator and outspoken social conservative's sudden announcement comes on the heels of a recent family crisis. Over the weekend, Santorum's three-year-old daughter Bella went into the hospital after falling ill. The toddler, who suffers from a genetic condition known as Trisomy 18, was released this morning.

However, political commentators have long speculated that Santorum would bow out before the April 24 primary in his home state, in order to avoid a defeat on his own turf. 

The announcement signals an abrupt end to a lively campaign. After months of relative obscurity Santorum's national profile soared after tying with frontrunner Mitt Romney during the Iowa caucus on Jan. 3. Sweeping victories followed in 10 other states, including Minnesota, where social conservatives overwhelmingly supported his campaign. 

Burnsville was no exception to the rule. , taking a 10 to 20 point margin over the former Massachusetts governor. Many Burnsville conservatives expressed distrust of Romney, who was largely viewed as for their tastes. Indeed, about 55 percent of those polled on Patch said Romney " may as well be married to Hillary Clinton." 

"Sometimes Minnesota votes to send a message. I think that was the case here," said Pat Staley, chair of the Republican Party for then Senate District 37, which covered a portion of Burnsville, in addition to Apple Valley and Rosemount. 

Nevertheless, party insiders doubted that Santorum could effectively win moderates and independent voters. According to CBS, the vast majority of GOP primary voters named Romney as the only candidate who had a chance of beating President Barack Obama.

Santorum's exit all but cements Romney's endorsement. Prior to the announcement, CBS News estimated that Romney would carry 645 of the 1,144 delegates needed to win the GOP nomination at the national convention in Tampa. Political analysts now predict that Santorum's 252 delegates will defect to Romney's camp.