Dean Phillips drops out of 2024 race: Biden is ‘our candidate’
Rep. Dean Phillips ended his unsuccessful Democratic primary challenge to President Biden on Wednesday after disappointing finishes in the party’s 16 Super Tuesday contests.
In a statement on X, the 55-year-old Phillips (D-Minn.) said he ran for president “because Americans were demanding an alternative, and democracy demands options.
“But it is clear that alternative is not me,” Phillips added. “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.”
The Democratic lawmaker, who would have been the first Jewish president if he had pulled off an unlikely victory, 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 [former President Donald] Trump.”
The Democrat was reminded of that promise as the results rolled in Tuesday night, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom publicly challenging Phillips to drop out of the race and endorse Biden.
Phillips failed to crack double-digit support in any of the 13 Super Tuesday states where he was listed on the ballot — often finishing behind self-help author Marianne Williamson and protest votes of “no preference” or “uncommitted.”
Adding to the humiliation, Phillips only drew 7.8% support in his home state of Minnesota and failed to get a single vote in the American Samoa caucus, which was won by little-known Baltimore-based investor Jason Palmer.
Phillips, one of the richest members of Congress, based his initial campaign out of New Hampshire — where Biden refused to register for the ballot — and managed to get 19.6% of the vote in the first Democratic primary. His efforts weren’t enough to defeat Biden’s write-in campaign, which still gave the president 63.9% in the Granite State.
The lawmaker discounted his initial low voting numbers and told reporters in New Hampshire he would continue self-funding his campaign as part of “the most important philanthropic pursuit of my life,” already having spent over $5 million.
Phillips came in third behind Biden and Williamson in South Carolina, only getting 1.7% of the vote. He also came in fourth in Michigan behind Williamson and “uncommitted,” 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 Democrats after the Sunshine State primary was canceled.
He also was unable to make the ballot in two other key Southern states, North Carolina and Tennessee.
“To all who supported my effort, thank you,” Phillips said on X. “We will continue the important work to ensure a more responsive, democratic, and generationally diverse political system. 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.
“Let’s use invitation, not confrontation, to welcome [Nikki] Haley supporters, Trump supporters, and Uncommitted supporters to get this done. It’s our calling, it’s our legacy, and it’s our time. Onward with joy and patriotism!”
