Republican candidate Rick Santorum announced Tuesday he's suspending his campaign for the presidency. Still, the former Pennsylvania senator made it clear Americans hadn't heard the last of him.

"While this presidential race is over for me… we are not done fighting," Santorum said at a press conference in Gettysburg, Pa. He added that he would do whatever is necessary to defeat President Barack Obama.

"There's a lot of greatness in this country," he said. "We just need leaders who believe that."

The former lawmaker indicated the recent health struggles of his youngest daughter, Bella, played a part in his decision to drop his White House bid.

The toddler, who suffers from a rare genetic condition called Trisomy 18, and was rushed to the emergency room over the holiday weekend with a bout of pneumonia. She was released from the hospital Monday and is now back with her family.

"The Santorums are truly overwhelmed by the prayers and support they've received and wanted to attach a picture of their daughter Bella so everyone could see their precious gift from God," Santorum campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

Even before Santorum's announcement, there were speculations from political observers that the former lawmaker would fold his political tent. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has more than twice as many delegates as Santorum.

With Santorum out of the race, Romney has a clearer path to securing the 1,144 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination.

Watch Santorum's entire speech below.