In a surprising turn of events, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota has officially ended his long-shot 2024 Democratic presidential bid after failing to gain traction in the primaries. Phillips, a 55-year-old multimillionaire, had built his campaign around calls for a new generation of Democratic leadership, but ultimately failed to resonate with the party's voters. Phillips announced his decision to drop out in an interview with WCCO Radio in Minneapolis, where he also declared his endorsement for President Joe Biden, stating that "there is only one choice" in an expected fall matchup against Republican Donald Trump.

Phillips' campaign faced challenges from the start, with his focus on a strong showing in New Hampshire's Democratic primary, where Mr. Biden was not even on the ballot due to a new primary calendar. Despite his efforts, Phillips finished a distant second in the state's unsanctioned primary, behind a write-in campaign for Biden. He continued to campaign in South Carolina and other states but failed to win more than a few thousand votes.

The congressman's decision to endorse Biden foreclosed the possibility of a third-party challenge, but he expressed hope that Nikki Haley, the last major GOP rival to Trump, would consider an independent bid to draw votes away from the president. Phillips emphasized the importance of defeating Trump in November, calling him a "very dangerous, dangerous man."

Phillips' exit from the race comes after months of criticism and challenges within the Democratic Party, with many dismissing his campaign before he even announced his candidacy. Despite his efforts to position himself as a moderate focused on his suburban constituents, Phillips faced backlash for challenging Mr. Biden and his leadership within the party.

As Phillips looks to the future, he has already announced that he will not seek reelection in his suburban Minneapolis congressional district. His decision to drop out of the presidential race and endorse Biden highlights the divisions and challenges within the Democratic Party as they prepare to face off against Trump in the upcoming election.