In an op-ed published Monday on Fox News, entitled “Why I intend to stay in the GOP presidential race,” the retired neurosurgeon and book tour impresario said his decision to continue receiving campaign contributions was a matter of standing up for American principles and also for his supporters’ right to keep sending him checks.

“I’ve vowed to continue our campaign as long as we have revenue and support,” Carson wrote, “until the people have decided.”

Carson came in at last place in South Carolina and New Hampshire, and squeaked into second-to-last in Nevada above John Kasich. His campaign has been dogged by reports that his organization has been hemorrhaging talent, mismanaging its resources, and the fact that the good doctor has given a series of sleepy-eyed debate performances and made curious tactical moves, like ducking out of early-voting states for a fresh pair of clothes.