Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips has dropped out of the 2024 Democratic presidential primary and has announced his endorsement of President Joe Biden. Phillips made the announcement on social media, stating that while he had initially run for Congress in 2018 to resist Donald Trump, and ran for President in 2024 to offer an alternative, it has become clear that Biden is the candidate who represents the country’s values.
Phillips’ decision comes as Biden has been dominating the Democratic primary contests this year, solidifying his path to the party nomination. Phillips, who focused heavily on the state of New Hampshire and launched his campaign there, was unable to secure a win even in the unofficial write-in campaign launched by Biden’s supporters in the state. With Phillips’ exit, author Marianne Williamson remains as the last notable primary challenger to Biden.
In February, Phillips had to lay off staff and scale back operations due to financial constraints. He admitted that raising enough money to run his campaign the way he wanted had been “almost impossible.” Phillips entered the Democratic primary in October out of concerns that Biden would lose a general election rematch against former President Donald Trump. While initially calling Biden a “terrific president,” Phillips became increasingly critical of him over time.
During his campaign, Phillips raised doubts about Biden’s physical capacity and called him a threat to democracy. He challenged the president on policy issues such as rising costs, healthcare, and the southern border. Despite his criticisms, Phillips acknowledged that Biden was projected as the winner of the New Hampshire primary but insisted that he was in decline numerically, actuarially, and reputationally.
Phillips faced opposition not only from Republicans but also from Democrats who wished for the party to unify around Biden. They viewed Phillips’ bid as selfish and believed it could potentially lead to the rise of independent or third-party candidates. Throughout the race, Phillips accused his party of working to suppress his candidacy by excluding his name from primary ballots in certain states. His campaign filed lawsuits and challenges to ensure his inclusion on the ballots.
As a presidential contender, Phillips shifted left on policy issues, expressing support for “Medicare for All” and universal basic income pilot programs. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, known for his universal basic income plan during his 2020 presidential bid, endorsed Phillips in January. Yang praised Phillips as a unifying and positive figure in contrast to Biden.
Phillips, an heir to a Minnesota distilling business and former chairman of Talenti Gelato, was elected to Congress in 2018, defeating a Republican incumbent. He won re-election in 2020 and 2022 but announced that he would not seek a fourth term shortly after launching his presidential bid.
In conclusion, Dean Phillips’ decision to drop out of the 2024 Democratic presidential primary and endorse President Joe Biden comes as Biden solidifies his path to the party nomination. Phillips, who initially ran to offer an alternative to Trump, recognized that Biden is the candidate who represents the values of the American people. Despite his criticisms of Biden during his campaign, Phillips acknowledged the president’s projected win in the New Hampshire primary but argued that he was in decline. Phillips faced opposition from both Republicans and Democrats who wanted the party to unify around Biden. He accused his own party of suppressing his candidacy in certain states but continued to fight for inclusion on primary ballots. Phillips shifted left on policy issues as a presidential contender and gained endorsements from figures like Andrew Yang. As an heir to a business and a successful congressman, Phillips made a significant impact during his time in politics.
