Former billionaire New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is ending his presidential campaign Wednesday, a day after he received a single win on Super Tuesday.
“Three months ago, I entered the race for President to defeat Donald Trump. Today, I am leaving the race for the same reason: to defeat Donald Trump – because it is clear to me that staying in would make achieving that goal more difficult,” he said in a statement after a poor showing in the fourteen States that voted Tuesday.
Bloomberg won the U.S. territory of American Samoa after skipping the primary season’s first four races in the hopes of making a resounding electoral statement on Super Tuesday. Biden won nine, including the delegate-rich state of Texas.
Bloomberg endorsed Joe Biden and said the former U.S. Vice President has “the best shot” to defeat Trump.
“I’ve always believed that defeating Donald Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it. After yesterday’s vote, it is clear that candidate is my friend and a great American, Joe Biden,” said Bloomberg.
The 78-year-old has reportedly spent more than $500 million in advertisements.
He served three terms as Mayor of New York from 2002 until 2013.
During his campaign he faced criticism for backing the police department’s “stop-and-frisk” policy during his time in office. He has repeatedly apologized.
The policy permitted police to momentarily detain and search someone suspected of criminal activity. The vast majority of those stopped were black and Latino men.
Trump said Bloomberg’s endorsement for Biden will not work and it is a move to save face.
“Mini Mike Bloomberg just ‘quit’ the race for President. I could have told him long ago that he didn’t have what it takes, and he would have saved himself a billion dollars, the real cost. Now he will pour money into Sleepy Joe’s campaign, hoping to save face. It won’t work!” Trump wrote on Twitter.
