Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, who is running for president and challenging Joe Biden in the primary, announced Friday he will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024. “My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation – not observation,” the Minnesota congressman said in a statement.
Quick Read
- Not Seeking Reelection to Congress: Democratic Representative Dean Phillips announced that he will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024.
- Reason for Entering Politics: Phillips mentioned that his journey to public service began after the 2016 election, driven by the realization that democracy requires active participation.
- His Time in Office: He reflected on his seven years in office, highlighting them as a period of historic opportunities to practice optimistic politics and improve people’s lives. He believes it’s now time to pass the torch after three terms.
- Running for President: Phillips, while praising Biden, has decided to run for president, stating the need for younger voices in the Democratic Party to prevent a potential Trump election victory in the next fall.
- Criticism from Democratic Leaders: Several prominent Democrats, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have criticized Phillips’ decision to challenge Biden, with some dismissing it as a “political side show.”
- Support for Biden’s Record: Ken Martin, chair of Minnesota Democrats and a DNC vice chair, appreciated Phillips’ support for President Biden’s accomplishments but emphasized the importance of reelecting Biden and keeping Phillips’ congressional seat Democratic.
- Republican Response: Anna Mathews, executive director of the Republican Party of Minnesota, commented that Phillips’ decision and remarks highlight the potential negative impact of Biden’s policies on Democrats in upcoming elections.
- Phillips’ Background: He represents a moderate viewpoint from the suburbs of Minneapolis, an area with a history of electing Republicans before his win in 2018. Phillips is also one of the wealthiest members of Congress, associated with the Phillips Distilling Company and Talenti gelato.
- Symbolic Challenge to National Democrats: Phillips’ presidential run poses a symbolic challenge to the Democratic establishment, which is trying to project confidence in Biden’s electability despite questions about his age and suitability for another term.
- End of Congressional Term: Phillips’ current term in Congress will end on January 3, 2025.
The Associated Press has the story:
Rep. Dean Phillips, a Dem running for president, says he won’t run for re-election to Congress
Newslooks- MINNEAPOLIS (AP)
Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, who is running for president and challenging Joe Biden in the primary, announced Friday he will not seek reelection to Congress in 2024.
“My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation – not observation,” the Minnesota congressman said in a statement.
“Seven years have passed, each presenting historic opportunities to practice a brand of optimistic politics that repairs relationships and improves people’s lives. We have met those moments, and after three terms it is time to pass the torch,” he added.
While Phillips has been effusive in his praise for Biden, the 54-year-old also says Democrats need younger voices to avoid a scenario where Trump wins another election next fall.
Several prominent Democrats — including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz — have criticized Phillips’ decision to run against Biden, likening it to a “political side show.”
Ken Martin, chair of Minnesota Democrats and a Democratic National Committee vice chair, said in a statement he appreciates Phillips’ service and his “100% voting record supporting President Biden’s historic record of accomplishments.”
Martin added there are a number of Democrats who “understand the importance of reelecting President Biden” and keeping Phillips’ congressional seat in Democratic hands. Martin said he is confident the party will have a “strong and loyal” nominee.
Anna Mathews, executive director of the Republican Party of Minnesota, said in a Friday message to The Associated Press that “Dean Phillips has been openly sharing what no other Democrat will: Joe Biden’s failed policies are going to be detrimental to Democrats up and down the ticket next year.”
She added the state’s GOP looks forward to bringing Republican representation back to voters in Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District next November.
Phillips’ term in Congress will end on Jan. 3, 2025.
He is a moderate from the largely well-to-do suburbs of Minneapolis. Before Phillips won the seat as a Democrat in 2018, the area had a history of electing Republicans to the U.S. House.
In October, Phillips became the first elected Democrat to challenge Biden for the nomination.
His run offers a symbolic challenge to national Democrats trying to project the idea that there is no reason to doubt the president’s electability — even as many Americans question whether the 81-year-old Biden should serve another term.
Phillips is one of the wealthiest members of Congress and heir to his stepfather’s Phillips Distilling Company empire, which holds major vodka and schnapps brands. Phillips once served as that company’s president but also ran the gelato maker Talenti. His grandmother was the late Pauline Phillips, better known as the advice columnist “Dear Abby.”
