Democratic Congressman Leading the Primary Charge Against Biden

Representative Dean Phillips, a vocal opponent of President Biden’s reelection bid, is openly calling for a contested primary, in hopes to recruit candidates to join the battle for the Democratic nomination.

The moderate Democrat, who is serving his third term representing Minnesota’s Third District in Congress, is reported to be weighing his own presidential bid. Rep. Phillips has met with donors in New York earlier this summer exploring the possibility of a longshot primary challenge against his party’s leader, Politico reported late last month.

The current Democratic field is small, with only Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Marianne Williamson actively vying for the nomination.

Rep. Phillips emerged as the most vocal Democrat questioning whether the president should run again in 2024. On a radio interview last year, the congressman said he didn’t want Biden to run for reelection, and instead called for a new generation of Democrats to lead the ticket.

Although Rep. Phillips praises President Biden’s leadership throughout the first term, consistently supporting the administration’s agenda and voting for key legislation, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan Infrastructure bill, he still wants to move on from the Biden presidency.

“I adore Joe Biden. He saved this country. He can cement his legacy. My real call to action right now is not about me. The call to action is to ask the president to pass the torch,” Phillips said in an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd on “Meet The Press.”

Yet the congressman believes that its time to “Turn the page” on the current political establishment, which means moving on from both President Biden and the “meanness and fearmongering” of Donald Trump. Rep. Phillips also believes that alternative candidates is exactly what primary voters are looking for, and providing those options would strengthen the party and the country come November next year.

Although a majority of voters don’t want either candidate to run, a rematch between the two seems to be the most likely scenario. Both Biden and Trump’s favorables are underwater, yet they are the undisputed frontrunners in their party’s respective primaries. The President’s approval ratings are averaging just over 40%, and the latest polls show only around half of Democratic voters want him to seek a second term. Similarly, only around 35% of Americans hold a favorable view of the former president, while 65% view him unfavorably.

The almost inevitable rematch between Biden and Trump is exactly what the congressman is looking to prevent. Phillips openly expresses concerns over a Biden campaign, pointing towards the president’s weak approval ratings and widespread public concerns about his age and capacity to guide the country through a second term well into his mid-80s. Phillips has little faith in Biden’s ability to lead the party in the 2024 cycle, arguing the president is likely to lose in case of a repeat of the 2020 showdown between the two.

Current polling has Biden and Trump neck and neck in a theoretical 2024 matchup.

Rep. Dean Phillips’ public opposition to President Biden’s reelection and vocal recruitment campaign has drawn ire from his colleagues in his own party.

In multiple interviews, the congressman has been open about encouraging fellow Democrats, specifically moderate governors from the “Heartland” (the Midwest), to mount a primary bid. Names like Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers have been floated as potential challengers.

But the group of moderate Democratic governors, who have all publicly thrown their support for President Biden, have been quick to shut down any possibility about a primary bid. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was also tapped as one of Biden’s campaign co-chairs. In an interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, Whitmer said she was “proud” to support the president, citing the administration’s policy successes and emphasizing Biden’s clear support among her fellow governors.

“I was with Gov. Walz and Gov. Evers last weekend, and I can tell you, we had a lot of conversations about how the agenda’s gotta be communicated, because he’s got an incredible amount of work done. I am proud to be, you know, supporting President Biden. I am proud to be on the campaign for re-election,” she said on MSNBC.

Minnesota Democrats have also been intentional about opposing Rep. Phillips’ public campaign to primary the incumbent president. When asked about the congressman’s plans to explore a White House run, Gov. Walz dismissed any speculation. “I haven’t spoken to him personally but I’ve been very clear, the president is our nominee, he is going to be reelected,” he said in an interview with CBS News. “I think at the end of the day, Dean won’t be running on this. He’ll be with us.”

Leaders in Washington are also alarmed by Phillips’ public comments and may face repercussions as lawmakers return for the September session.

A spokesperson for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement, “Joe Biden has been a transformational president. Leader Jeffries strongly supports his candidacy and intends to do everything in his power to make sure that President Biden is re-elected to a second term. Dean Phillips was independently elected to a leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus. He is ultimately accountable to his House colleagues, who have not been bashful in sharing their views.”

Rep. Phillips serves the caucus, helping lead the policy and communications operation of House Democrats.

Phillips has been noncommittal about throwing his hat in the ring, but has said he could still mount a campaign if no one else does. The congressman insists that the party needs younger, more dynamic candidates in order to effectively compete and respond to the wants of the voters.

Regardless, Phillips has vowed to support Biden’s reelection if he clinches the nomination.