Billionaire Michael Bloomberg ended his bid for the Democratic nomination for president Wednesday morning after his campaign's disappointing Super Tuesday.
“After yesterday’s results, the delegate math has become virtually impossible — and a viable path to the nomination no longer exists," Bloomberg said in a statement. "But I remain clear-eyed about my overriding objective: victory in November. Not for me, but for our country. And so while I will not be the nominee, I will not walk away from the most important political fight of my life."
Bloomberg said it was time for Democrats to unite behind the candidate who stood the best chance of taking on President Donald Trump in the general election and beating him in November. The former mayor of New York City said that person was former Vice President Joe Biden.
“I’ve known Joe for a very long time," Biden said. "I know his decency, his honesty, and his commitment to the issues that are so important to our country — including gun safety, health care, climate change, and good jobs.
"I’ve had the chance to work with Joe on those issues over the years, and Joe has fought for working people his whole life," he continued. "Today I am glad to endorse him — and I will work to make him the next president of the United States."
After a late entry into the race, Bloomberg made a splash, spending more than $500 million in dozens of states to try and get the word out about his campaign. The massive ad campaign worked - with some polls in December showing the former mayor running second and third to other, more established candidates. He sat out the first four contests, with voters having their first chance to vote for him on Tuesday.
However, despite heavy advertising in Super Tuesday states, Bloomberg failed to make much of a mark in many of them, winning American Samoa, and placing second in California's delegate-rich primary.
Bloomberg said he plans to keep fighting through November to ensure President Donald Trump is defeated.
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