Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Joe Biden after failing to win any states on Super Tuesday.
Phillips had run to oppose Donald Trump but said Biden was now the clear alternative.
“I am going to suspend my campaign, and I will be, right now, endorsing President Biden,” Phillips said.
He praised Biden’s decency, wisdom and empathy from hosting him at his home over a decade ago.
“In 2011, I hosted then VP Biden at my home. Most notable was his empathy and kindness to my daughters and the catering staff, with whom he sat and had ice cream (surprise-surprise). His decency and wisdom were rarities in politics then, and even more so today, he said.
“Over a decade later, the only thing that has changed is time – which slows all of us down a bit, including presidents,” he said.
Phillis noted that he ran for president “to resist Donald Trump again – because Americans were demanding an alternative, and democracy demands options.”
Phillips acknowledged it was clear he was not the alternative candidate and urged supporters to mobilize behind Biden.
The announcement came after Phillips did not receive any votes on Super Tuesday.
“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,” Phillips said.
“To all who supported my effort, thank you. 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,” he said.
“Let’s use invitation, not confrontation, to welcome 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!”
“Congratulations to Joe Biden, Uncommitted, Marianne Williamson, and Nikki Haley for demonstrating more appeal to Democratic Party loyalists than me,” Phillips wrote.
Meanwhile, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley dropped out of the potential Republican race, suggesting Donald Trump would likely be the nominee but stopping short of an endorsement.
“In all likelihood, Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee when our party convention meets in July,” Haley said.
“I congratulate him and wish him well. I wish anyone well who would be America’s president. Our country is too precious to let our differences divide us,” she added, noting that it is “now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him.”
Read Also:
Bombshell Decision from Michelle Obama on 2024 Run
Former Border Chief Shreds Biden With 4 Simple Words
