Jeb Bush was so confident of winning South Carolina that as recently as September he told people to take his victory in that state "to the bank."



“I’m going to win South Carolina, take it to the bank,” Bush told reporters in late September, according to The Charleston Post and Courier.

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But on Saturday night, Bush not only failed to win but looks set to finish a distant fourth or fifth. The disappointing result will amplify the pressure on Bush to shut down his campaign and clear the way for Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioFlorida senators pushing to keep Daylight Savings Time during pandemic Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE to be the GOP's establishment choice to take on Donald Trump Donald John TrumpHR McMaster says president's policy to withdraw troops from Afghanistan is 'unwise' Cast of 'Parks and Rec' reunite for virtual town hall to address Wisconsin voters Biden says Trump should step down over coronavirus response MORE and Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzLoeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Health care in the crosshairs with new Trump Supreme Court list 'Parks and Rec' cast members hosting special reunion to raise money for Wisconsin Democrats MORE.



South Carolina was not supposed to turn out this way for the former Florida governor. Bush allies frequently refer to the Palmetto State as "Bush country" and remember the state fondly for delivering a decisive win in the 2000 primaries that helped George W. Bush overcome an insurgent John McCain John Sidney McCainThe electoral reality that the media ignores Kelly's lead widens to 10 points in Arizona Senate race: poll COVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks MORE.



Bush threw everything he had at South Carolina. His brother, who has not stumped for anyone since leaving the presidency, hit the campaign trail this week as did Bush's other family members, including his mother, Barbara.



The Bush campaign and his super-PAC also spent more money than any other candidate in South Carolina, won the endorsement of South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamThe Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters Senate Democrats' campaign arm announces seven-figure investment to boost Graham challenger Graham: Comey to testify about FBI's Russia probe, Mueller declined invitation MORE and invested time and resources into courting the state's substantial veterans community.



But on Saturday night, Bush was swept away by Trump, Cruz and — most galling for the Bush forces — his former protégé in Florida, Rubio. With some 20 percent of the vote counted, Bush risks finishing in single digits.