Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips is poised to announce his bid for the 2024 presidential election within the next week, according to reports. This announcement comes shortly after Phillips stepped down from his leadership role among Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. As the representative for Minnesota’s Third District, Phillips has consistently expressed his desire for more primary challengers to President Joe Biden.
Phillips made his decision to step down from the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus (DPCC) known, stating that his convictions regarding the 2024 presidential race were not aligned with the majority of his caucus. He believed that removing himself from elected leadership would prevent unnecessary distractions during a crucial period for the country.
It is anticipated that Phillips will formally announce his presidential intentions before the Friday filing deadline for candidates to qualify for the New Hampshire primary ballot. Sources suggest that his campaign will initially focus on New Hampshire, with future campaign strategies determined based on the results there.
Phillips has been a strong advocate for an alternative Democratic candidate to President Biden. In August, he spoke with WCCO and voiced his support for an alternative, but did not explicitly state that he himself should be that alternative. Since 2019, he has served as the representative for Minnesota’s Third District after defeating incumbent Republican Erik Paulsen.
WCCO reached out to Phillips’ office for comment but has yet to receive a response. The announcement of Phillips’ presidential bid could potentially bring more excitement and competition to the 2024 election cycle.