Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips Ends Primary Campaign Against Biden

Rep. Dean Phillips, a Minnesota Democrat, withdrew from the Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, ending the last significant primary challenge against President Joe Biden.

Phillips broke the news on “The Chad Hartman Show,” a Twin Cities radio show.

Phillips <a href=«https://twitter.com/deanbphillips/status/1758637385494200788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1758637385494200788%7Ctwgr%5E742a1ea01951e75a29ab7826d597e37c201ffc92%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fminnesota%2Fnews%2Fminnesota-rep-dean-phillips-announces-hes-laying-off-presidential-campaign-staff%2F» role=«link» class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name=«announced on Feb. 16» data-vars-item-type=«text» data-vars-unit-name=«65d14250e4b0f7fbe7b2dd3d» data-vars-unit-type=«buzz_body» data-vars-target-content-id=«https://twitter.com/deanbphillips/status/1758637385494200788?ref_src=» https: data-vars-target-content-type=«url» data-vars-type=«web_external_link» data-vars-subunit-name=«article_body» data-vars-subunit-type=«component» data-vars-position-in-subunit=«2»> announced on Feb. 16

that he was laying off the vast majority of his campaign staff, after lackluster fundraising had created a cash crunch. He also canceled a scheduled event in Michigan on Feb. 18.

Phillips had promised to continue his campaign despite the layoffs, hoping to provide an option for Democrats worried about Biden’s electability to register their support for someone else.

Ahead of the New Hampshire primary, Phillips’ senior advisor, Jeff Weaver, had told HuffPost that strong performances in New Hampshire on Jan. 23 and in Michigan on Feb. 27 would establish Phillips as a credible alternative to Biden, and propel his