A Democrat who's called for a new generation of leadership announced that he will retire at the end of this term.
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, a self-described “radical pragmatist,” has represented a sizable chunk of the Twin Cities metro area since 2019. Party elders considered Phillips a rising star after he defeated GOP incumbent Erik Paulsen in an 11-point landslide.
This summer, the party's attitude towards Phillips changed after the revelation he was considering a long-shot White House bid, hoping to capitalize on concerns about President Biden's mental and physical fitness.
The New York Times reports:
In challenging Mr. Biden for the Democratic nomination, Mr. Phillips has cited the president's age, 81, and his low approval ratings, warning that Mr. Biden risks losing his re-election bid to former President Donald J. Trump, 77, the Republican front-runner. Recent polls, including a New York Times/Siena College survey, have shown Mr. Biden trailing Mr. Trump in key battleground states.
But Mr. Phillips has little chance against Mr. Biden as the race currently stands, with the Democratic Party and major liberal donors firmly lined up behind the president.
Mr. Phillips has also angered Democrats with his criticisms of Mr. Biden, and he recently walked back comments he made questioning the capabilities of Vice President Kamala Harris.
His presidential campaign's early focus on heavily white New Hampshire has drawn criticism from Black Democrats in particular.
In October, Phillips relinquished his leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus, suggesting irreconcilable differences between Democrats and himself over his desire to see a serious candidate challenge Biden in the Democratic Party presidential primaries. Days later, Phillips announced his candidacy in Concord, New Hampshire.
His decision to retire should create a competitive race in Minnesota's 3rd District, though the seat has become increasingly liberal in recent years.
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