Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson is expected to announce his withdrawal from the race for the White House, after he finished fourth in Iowa and New Hampshire. Sources from his staff said the 60 year-old New Mexico Governor will make the announcement later this day.

The campaign officials refused to make any comments of his withdrawal after Richardson met with his advisory staff in New Mexico. The former secretary of Energy and U.N. ambassador did not manage to break the Democratic trio that currently leads the way to the White House: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.

The current New Mexico Governor would have become the first Hispanic president in the history of the United States, but his plans seemed to have changed after the first two rounds of voting. However, upon announcing his candidature for presidency, he had many observers wondering whether his real goal was the White House, as he claimed, or another post, possible vice president or secretary of state.

He presented himself as a high level experienced politician, with an impressive resume as member of the Congress, President Clinton’s Cabinet and of the New Mexico Statehouse, capable of taking the difficult role as president of the United States.

But despite his reputation as a pragmatist, who expanded the healthcare system for children, legalized medical marijuana and cut taxes, Richardson convinced only 2 % of the Iowa and 5 % of the New Hampshire electorate to vote for him.

With his withdrawal under way, there are still five contenders remaining in the race for the White House presidential seat nominations: New York senator Hillary Clinton, Illinois senator Barack Obama, former North Carolina senator John Edwards, former Alaska senator Mike Gravel and Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich.