MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips Running for president His rival, Joe Biden, in the primary elections, announced on Friday that he will not seek re-election to Congress in 2024.
“My journey into public service began the morning after the 2016 election, when I was confronted with the reality that democracy requires participation — not surveillance,” the Minnesota congressman said in a statement.
Seven years have passed, and each one presents historic opportunities to practice the kind of optimistic politics that repairs relationships and improves people’s lives. “We met those moments, and after three periods it was time to pass the torch.”
While Phillips had high praise for Biden, the 54-year-old also says Democrats need younger votes to avoid a scenario of Trump winning another election next fall.
Several prominent Democrats — including Minnesota’s governor. Tim Walls I criticized Phillips decided to run against Biden, likening it to a “political sideshow.”
Ken Martin, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic Party and vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement that he appreciates Phillips’ service and his “100% voting record that supports President Biden’s historic record of accomplishment.”
Martin added that there are a number of Democrats who “understand the importance of re-electing President Biden” and keeping Phillips’ congressional seat in Democratic hands. Martin said he was confident the party would have a “strong and dedicated” candidate.
“Dean Phillips has been publicly sharing what no other Democrat has done: Joe Biden’s failed policies will be damaging to Democrats up and down,” Anna Matthews, executive director of the Minnesota Republican Party, said in a letter Friday to The Associated Press. Next year’s ticket.”
She added that the state Republican Party is looking forward to Republicans returning representation to voters in Minnesota’s third congressional district next November.
Phillips’ term in Congress expires on January 3, 2025.
It is a moderately affluent suburb of Minneapolis. Before Phillips won the seat as a Democrat in 2018, the district had a history of electing Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives.
In October, Phillips became the first elected Democrat to challenge Biden for the nomination.
Offers it running Symbolic challenge To national Democrats trying to highlight the idea that there is no reason to doubt the president’s electability — even among many Americans Question whether 81-year-old Biden He must serve another term.
Phillips is one of the richest members of Congress and the heir to his stepfather’s empire, Phillips Distilling Company, which owns major vodka and liqueur brands. Phillips once served as president of that company but also ran the Talenti ice cream maker. His grandmother was the late Pauline Phillips, known as the “Dear Abby” advice columnist.
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Trisha Ahmed is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America It is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @TrishaAhmed15
