He won seven states on Super Tuesday but two days later, Mitt Romney lost his will to fight on.
"I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country."
Some Texas Republicans were prepared to face a three man race after Super Tuesday.
"Well it was a surprise, I think it was a surprise to everybody," Pat Sweeney Robbins with the Associated Republicans of Texas said.
Some think that with Romney dropping from the presidential hunt, Republicans can get behind delegate leader John McCain and focus their efforts on winning the general election.
"I think he did what he did for the good of the party and so everyone can start rallying around the front runner," Robbins said.
But Romney's surprise step down was not a good one for some Democrats who still have a highly contested primary season ahead.
"I'd like Republicans to continue cutting each other up and spending money," Chris Elliot, the Texas Democratic Party Chair said.
The fact that Texas will play a factor in the presidential primaries also comes as a surprise to Elliot.
A month ago Elliot predicted that Super Tuesday would seal the deal for party nominations.
"I think it's going to drive up voter turnout and I think anytime that happens it's a good thing," he said.
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Romney bows out
With Romney out of the race, local spokespersons with both parties say it will affect their campaigns.
 
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Elliot said despite the battle on the Democratic side, Republicans have an internal battle of their own with many party supporters criticizing McCain's liberal leanings.
But some Texas Republicans said it's time for the party to get down to business.
"McCain may not have been your first choice but if he's our candidate he's going to be a better option than Hillary Clinton or Mr. Obama," Robbins said.
Republican candidate Mike Huckabee had plans to campaign in Texas next week.
Wednesday, he cancelled his trip due to a scheduling conflict but said he does plan to reschedule.
Senators Clinton and Obama's campaigns tell us they will have
representatives in Texas as soon as this weekend.
