U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips officially ended his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination on Wednesday, recognizing his struggle to gain significant voter support.
Phillips, representing Minnesota, initially entered the race with a message advocating for a younger nominee, emphasizing the need for an alternative to Donald Trump.
In a statement, Phillips acknowledged the demand for an alternative to Trump but conceded that he was not that alternative. Despite his background as a wealthy businessman, Phillips failed to gain traction in the Democratic primary, facing rejection from voters in crucial early races in New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Throughout his campaign, Phillips repeatedly raised concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and low approval ratings, warning that supporting Biden could jeopardize the Democrats’ chances of winning the White House again.
However, he ultimately endorsed Biden, highlighting the president’s competency, decency, and integrity while contrasting them with what he deemed as the dangerous nature of Trump’s leadership.
Phillips’ decision to withdraw from the race coincided with former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley‘s suspension of her campaign, further shaping the landscape for a potential rematch between Trump and Biden. While Haley refrained from endorsing Trump, she encouraged him to reach out to her supporters.
Speaking on The Chad Hartman Show on WCCO, a local Minnesota radio station, Phillips emphasized the importance of the choice between Biden and Trump, characterizing Trump as a “very dangerous, dangerous man” and expressing confidence in Biden’s ability to lead the country.
