Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota made a surprising announcement on Wednesday as he suspended his long-shot campaign for the Democratic nomination and threw his support behind President Biden. This move comes after months of campaigning where Phillips positioned himself as a younger, new generation alternative to Biden.
Phillips, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, had entered the race last October, criticizing Biden’s age and low approval numbers. However, despite his efforts, voters did not seem interested in Phillips as a Democratic alternative to Biden.
In the final days of his campaign, Phillips expressed disappointment in his lack of appeal to Democratic Party loyalists, finishing last in state after state on Super Tuesday. Despite his skepticism of Biden’s prospects in November, Phillips ultimately decided to endorse the President and urged his supporters to do the same.
The Minnesota congressman’s campaign peaked with a second-place finish in New Hampshire’s primary, but quickly declined from there. Phillips faced embarrassing defeats in South Carolina and Michigan, earning less than 3 percent of the vote in both states.
As Phillips exits the race and suspends his campaign, he has also announced that he will not seek re-election in his congressional seat. He spent millions of his own money on his failed campaign, signaling a significant shift in his political career.
Overall, Representative Dean Phillips’ decision to suspend his campaign and endorse President Biden marks the end of a challenging and ultimately unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination.
