Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) has announced that he will not be seeking reelection. The Minnesota congressman, who is challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic Party’s presidential ticket, made this announcement while emphasizing the importance of democracy and unity in the face of current challenges.
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. https://t.co/OZdFXfkume
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) November 25, 2023
“My journey to public service began the morning after the 2016 election when I faced the reality that democracy requires participation — not observation,” he stated. This introspection led him to conclude that “after three terms, it is time to pass the torch.”
During his announcement, Phillips spoke of America’s rich history, hailing it as a “remarkable 246 years as the longest-lasting democratic republic in the world.” However, he also acknowledged the pressing issues the nation faces, noting, “We are facing a crisis of cooperation, common sense, and truth.”
The congressman emphasized the values of civility, respect, listening and effective governance, asserting, “No party has a monopoly on solutions, and we must stop fighting one another and begin fighting for one another — before it is too late.”
He expressed gratitude to his constituents, stating, “I know my successor will serve you with invitation, integrity, and fortitude — because you will demand it — and all Americans deserve it.”
Phillips’ decision to step down from Congress comes over a month after he decided to step down from his role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Caucus, a post he has held since January.
In a statement from October announcing that decision, he said, “My convictions relative to the 2024 presidential race are incongruent with the majority of my caucus, and I felt it appropriate to step aside from elected leadership to avoid unnecessary distractions during a critical time for our country.”
He went further, “I celebrate Leader [Hakeem] Jeffries for his remarkable and principled leadership and extend gratitude to my outstanding friends and colleagues for having created space and place for my perspectives. I’ll continue to abide by my convictions, place people over politics, and support our shared mission to deliver security, opportunity, and prosperity for all Americans.”
Phillips, who believes he is “well positioned to be president of the United States,” called for a larger pool of Democrats vying for the presidential seat in 2024, urging other Democrats to jump in the race.