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The 78-year-old U.S. senator parlayed his massive campaign rallies, anti-establishment message and fervent support from young and new voters into early success in the Democratic race before losing in South Carolina in late February, leading moderate Democrats to unite behind Biden.

Sanders suffered a string of decisive losses through March as Democrats searched for the candidate with the best chance of beating Trump, putting the senator under growing pressure from Democrats to end his campaign and help the party unite.

The departure of Sanders, Biden’s last remaining rival, sets up a long battle for the White House between the 77-year-old Biden and Trump, 73, who is seeking a second four-year term in office.

I see you, I hear you, and I understand the urgency of what it is we have to get done in this country

Biden praised Sanders after his departure and promised his ideas would be incorporated into his White House run. He reached out to Sanders’ supporters.

“I see you, I hear you, and I understand the urgency of what it is we have to get done in this country,” Biden said. “I hope you will join us. You are more than welcome. You’re needed.”

Sanders’ decision comes as the country grapples with a coronavirus outbreak that upended the nominating schedule, taking him off the campaign trail and leaving Sanders little opportunity to get his message across.

Some allies encouraged Sanders to stay in the race to further influence Biden’s policy positions. But Sanders made little headway on his vow that his ambitious social programs such as raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy would expand the electorate.