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By Andrew Stanton
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Representative Dean Phillips announced on Wednesday that he is ending his challenge to President Joe Biden after his campaign struggled to gain traction ahead of Super Tuesday.
"I ran for Congress in 2018 to resist Donald Trump, I was trapped in the Capitol in 2021 because of Donald Trump, and I ran for President in 2024 to resist Donald Trump again - because Americans were demanding an alternative, and democracy demands options," he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
He continued, "But it is clear that alternative is not me. And it is clear that Joe Biden is OUR candidate and OUR opportunity to demonstrate what type of country America is and intends to be."
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The Context
Phillips, a Minnesota Democrat first elected to Congress in 2018, challenged Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination, arguing it is time for new leadership in politics. He raised concerns about Biden's age, as well as the president's electability during his campaign. Although he is known as a more moderate Democrat in Congress, Phillips at times took more progressive positions during the presidential race, such as embracing Medicare for All.
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What We Know
Phillips announced that he was dropping out of the race shortly after 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday. In a post on X, he thanked those who supported his campaign while also throwing his support behind Biden.
"But today, in light of the stark reality we face, I ask you join me in mobilizing, energizing, and doing everything you can to help keep a man of decency and integrity in the White House. That's Joe Biden," Phillips wrote.
He urged Democrats to "use invitation, not confrontation" to convince Nikki Haley's supporters as well as those who have voted "uncommitted" in Democratic primaries to support Biden. Haley, a former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina governor, dropped out of the GOP presidential primary on Wednesday.
Phillips had struggled to break through by Super Tuesday, as Democrats largely rallied behind Biden despite some concerns. Polls show the president trailing Trump in the general election.
In his home state of Minnesota, Phillips received just 7.8 percent of the vote, trailing Biden, who earned the support of 71 percent of primary voters, and "uncommitted," backed by 18.9 percent of voters Tuesday night.
Views
Political observers shared their reactions to Phillips' departure from the race on X.
"Good for Dean. Didn't like his tactics, but I will give him credit for seeing the writing on the wall and backing POTUS," wrote Chris D. Jackson, an election commissioner in Lawrence County, Tennessee.
"So long Dean Phillips. I think someone sacrificing their career prospects to challenge an incumbent can be quite the service to their party (which also applies to Nikki Haley). However, I'll always be surprised the challenge to Biden came from the center. He's a centrist!" wrote Alex Garlick, a political science professor at the University of Vermont.
"Dean Phillips, who had by December been floating staying in until the convention, ends his run against Biden. He did not win any delegates along the way. But his statement dropping out is much more conciliatory than some of the harsh Biden criticism he voiced on the trail," wrote CNN reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere.
What's Next
President Biden still faces a challenge from author Marianne Williamson, who has positioned herself firmly to his left. Although she previously suspended her campaign, Williamson announced last week she would reenter the race after outperforming Phillips in Michigan.
Still, Biden is expected to easily win the Democratic nomination, setting up a likely rematch against Trump in November.
Update 3/6/24, 1:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 3/6/24, 2:30 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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