Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips to Challenge President Joe Biden for Democratic Nomination in 2024
CNN
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Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips announced his decision not to seek reelection to Congress next year as he pursues a long-shot challenge against President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2024.
Calling for Generational Change
Phillips stated in a press release that “[After] three terms it is time to pass the torch.” This echoes his argument for generational change, a key aspect of his primary bid against Biden.
A Formal Campaign Launch
Phillips formally launched his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination last month in New Hampshire. He expressed concerns that Biden would lose a general election rematch against former President Donald Trump due to the incumbent’s age and low approval ratings.
Intraparty Opposition
Phillips has faced significant opposition within the Democratic Party, as they aim to unite behind the president, counter independent candidates, and highlight the accomplishments of the administration to voters.
Criticism of Biden’s Policies
Instead of challenging Biden on policy, Phillips has started taking shots at his policy decisions. He specifically criticized the administration’s handling of the Hamas hostages situation.
A Call for Action on Social Media
On social media, Phillips voiced his concerns, stating that it is “unacceptable that American citizens remain held by Hamas and have not been set free through diplomacy or special forces extraction.”
A Determined Campaign
Phillips, an heir to a Minnesota distilling business and former chairman of Talenti Gelato, has vowed to invest as much of his multimillion-dollar fortune as it takes to win. He is also supported by Pass the Torch, a new super PAC that is airing ads in key swing states, highlighting polls showing Biden trailing Trump.
The White House’s Response
The White House reacted to Phillips’ decision not to run for reelection by highlighting his record in Congress.
Support for President Biden
In a statement, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said, “Congressman Phillips has voted for nearly 100% of President Biden’s policies, and the President will miss his support for the Biden-Harris legislative agenda.”
Phillips’ Political Journey
Phillips was first elected to Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District in 2018, unseating a Republican incumbent by 11 points in a district that had not elected a Democrat to the House in over 50 years. He won reelection in 2020 and 2022.
Conversations with Potential Candidates
Following his announcement, Phillips stated that he had spoken to two Democrats who had previously declared their candidacies for his 3rd District seat – Minnesota state Sen. Kelly Morrison and Democratic National Committee member Ron Harris.
The Future of the Democratic Party
Phillips shared on social media, “Had great conversations with both @Morrison4MN and @ronharrismn and can’t wait to pass the torch and get to work for whomever becomes our nominee. The amazing #DeanTeam, which flipped a 60-year red district blue in ’18, will be an army of democracy to ensure victory once again in ’24.”
Contributors to this Report
CNN’s Betsy Klein and Aaron Pellish contributed to this report.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-11-24 21:01:00
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