Donald Trump says he’s ‘totally committed’ to GOP

Donald Trump says he’s now ‘‘totally committed to the Republican party’’ and won’t run as an independent if he’s not the GOP nominee.

Trump was responding to concerns that he would stay in the race as an independent if another Republican wins the nomination, and send Hillary Clinton to the White House by splitting the conservative vote.

The business mogul says he’s gained great respect for the people he’s met during his candidacy and is honored to be the front-runner.

He says he’d ‘‘do everything in my power to beat Hillary Clinton.’’

Trump famously refused to rule out an independent run during the first Republican primary debate in August.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.