Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg suspended his run on Wednesday for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and endorsed former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, after spending more than $500 million of his own fortune since entering the race in November.
Following Super Tuesday, where 14 states voted, Bloomberg only won American Samoa and picked up 44 delegates overall.
At the end of Tuesday night, Biden propelled to the forefront, now leading the delegate count with 453, followed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) with 382.
A candidate must reach 1,991 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.
“I’ve always believed that defeating [U.S. President] Donald Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it. After [the March 3] vote, it is clear that candidate is my friend and a great American, Joe Biden,” said Bloomberg in a statement. “I’ve known Joe for a very long time. 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.”
Bloomberg was one of four Jewish candidates in the Democratic field. Sanders, with whom Bloomberg sparred over on issues ranging from the U.S.-Israel relationship to socialism, is the only Jewish candidate left in the 2020 presidential race.
Along with Sanders and Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) remain in the Democratic race.
