WAYZATA, Minn. – It’s the end of the trail for Dean Phillips. The Minnesota congressman suspended his long-shot campaign to be president of the United States. To run, Phillips gave up a re-election campaign for a fourth term in the U.S. House from western Minneapolis suburbs. Why his presidential run? Phillips was convinced that Biden, if nominated for re-election, would lose a matchup-up with Republican ex-President Donald Trump. Phillips’ campaign against Biden was a tricky proposition. In Congress Phillips had voted almost entirely for Biden initiatives – a kind of Biden 2.0. The campaign never caught traction: Phillips trailed badly in caucuses and primaries from the beginning, capped by poor showings in 14 states on Super Tuesday, mostly in the the 3% range. Phillips, a millionaire and one of the richest members of Congress, drew from his own fortune for the campaign. His net worth from an inherited distillery fortune and also a lucrative gelato start-up: $77 million.
Verbatim
Phillips on WCCO talk show: “Clearly and convincingly, Democratic primary voters have opined that I’m not that guy.I invite, I encourage and will do everything humanly possible to ensure Joe Biden’s reelection this November.”
Super Tuesday
Phillips tallies:
Alabama: 4.5%.
Alaska: Being tallied.
Arkansas: 2.9%.
California: 2.9%.
Colorado: 3.1%.
Maine: 7.1%.
Massachusetts: 4.5%.
Minnesota: 7.8%.
North Carolina: Not on ballot.
Oklahoma: 8.9%.
Tennessee: Not on ballot.
Texas: 2.7%.
Utah: 4.4%.
Vermont: 3%.
Virginia: 3.5%.