Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), presidential candidate and fierce critic of President Biden, suspended his 2024 bid after failing to get sufficient support in the Super Tuesday contests.
He first warned his supporters in November that he would end his run if his campaign is “not viable after March 5” and that he would endorse “the likely nominee — Biden or otherwise.”
“I will then campaign for them as vigorously as I’m campaigning now,” Phillips wrote on X. “I’m not here for games – the goal is to maximize the odds of beating Trump.”
Phillips said he had launched his campaign out of necessity for Democrats to have a chance of defeating GOP front-runner Donald Trump, given Biden’s age and insufficient polling numbers.
The millionaire, who made his fortune selling liquor and gelato, was one of the only Democrats who challenged Biden’s re-election run, calling on others to join in the 2024 race to have more viable options for a nominee. He faced inter-party criticism for his efforts, with even fellow Minnesotan Sen. Tina Smith flaming him for staying in the race despite his losses in early states.
He based his initial campaign out of New Hampshire — where Biden refused to register on the ballot — and managed to get nearly 20% of the vote share in the first Democratic primary. His efforts weren’t enough to defeat Biden’s write-in campaign, which still gave the president over 63% in the Granite State.
The representative discounted his initial low voting numbers and told reporters in New Hampshire he would continue on self-funding his campaign as part of “the most important philanthropic pursuit of my life,” already having spent over $5 million.
Phillips then came in third behind Biden and self-help author Marianne Williamson in South Carolina, only getting 1.7% of the vote. He also got third in Michigan, getting 2.7%.
He continued to have a positive outlook on the race, saying he was “pleased” by his “top three finish” in South Carolina — even though there were only three candidates in the race.
Phillips unveiled his policy platform over the course of his campaign, coming out in favor of policies to the left of Biden, including reparations, universal basic income and Medicare for All.
He also called out Biden’s border policies and said the president’s age was “dangerous” for the country.
The Minnesotan also faced problems with ballot access and launched legal challenges against Florida cancelling their Democratic primary and assuming Biden would be the nominee.
He criticized Biden for refusing to debate and compared Democratic state parties who suspended primary elections to Iranian authoritarianism.