Santa Fe, N.M. ? New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his long-shot bid for the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday after poor finishes in the first two contests in Iowa and New Hampshire.

He praised all of his Democratic rivals but endorsed no one. He encouraged voters to “take a long and thoughtful look” and elect one of them president.

Richardson said that although his support at the polls lagged the front-runners, many of his leading rivals had moved closer to his positions on such issues as the war in Iraq and educating young Americans at home.

“Despite overwhelming financial and political odds, I am proud of the campaign we waged … and most importantly the influence we had on the issues that matter the most to the future of this country,” he said.

On a less serious note, he estimated the long campaign had included 200 debates. He quickly amended that to 24 but said “it felt like 200.”

Richardson, 60, announced his decision at the state Capitol, saying he was returning to “the best job in the world” as New Mexico’s governor.