Former Louisiana governor Buddy Roemer is going to drop his long-shot bid for the GOP presidential nomination and run as an independent.

"I have decided to take my campaign directly to the American people by declaring my candidacy for Americans Elect. Also, after many discussions with The Reform Party, I am excited to announce my intentions of seeking their nomination," Roemer said in a statement.

Roemer, a one-time Democratic congressman, has gotten little traction in the Republican race. He has made special interests -- especially the dangers of big money in politics -- the centerpiece of his campaign.

But with no standing in national or state polls, Roemer has been excluded from all the major televised GOP debates. He has joined in the conversation, however, by tweeting his responses to questions as he watches on TV.

Americans Elect is a non-partisan group holding an online presidential primary.