Dean Phillips Drops Out of Democratic Primary Race

Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips announced today that he is ending his campaign to challenge President Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic primary. In a social media post, Phillips cited Biden as the party’s best option to defeat Republicans in the upcoming election.

Phillips launched his long-shot bid for the Democratic nomination last fall, expressing concerns that Biden may struggle against potential Republican opponents like Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis. However, Biden has dominated the early contests on the primary calendar.

Phillips’ Campaign Struggles to Gain Traction

Dean Phillips focused heavily on the New Hampshire primary, one of the first states to vote, but was unable to defeat Biden, who won through a write-in campaign. Phillips’ campaign had difficulty raising funds and laying off staff members in recent months. Other prominent Democrats also opposed his challenge to an incumbent president seeking reelection.

Phillips shifting to more liberal policies on issues like healthcare did not seem to resonate with voters. While the Congressman pledged to offer an alternative to Biden, it became clear the party was uniting behind the president. Today, Dean Phillips acknowledged Biden as the best choice to take on Republicans in the general election.

Phillips will return to his House seat representing the Minneapolis area. Though his presidential bid fell short, he brought attention to issues like the rising costs of living and concerns over Biden’s leadership. The path remains clear for Biden to clinch the Democratic nomination.