Dean Phillips, Biden challenger drops out of US presidential race
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Washington: Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips has stated that he will withdraw from the Democratic presidential race after failing to position himself as a viable alternative to US President Joe Biden.
Phillips' decision came after 'Super Tuesday,' in which Biden and former President Donald Trump won their respective party's presidential primaries in more than a dozen states, according to Xinhua.
"It is clear that alternative is not me," Phillips said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Phillips, 55, initiated his campaign to challenge Biden in October 2023, saying that he felt compelled to run against his party's leader because he believed Biden would be defeated by Trump in the November presidential election.
In his brief statement, the three-term congressman endorsed Biden.
"I ask you to 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.
He also reached out to supporters of former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the Republican race earlier Wednesday.
"Let's use invitation, not confrontation, to welcome Haley supporters, Trump supporters, and uncommitted supporters to get this done," Phillips said.
With inputs from IANS