Updated: 1:43 p.m.
Minnesota U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips announced Friday that he will not seek reelection next year, while continuing his presidential campaign.
“After three terms, it is time to pass the torch,” Phillips said in a statement released by his House office.
Phillips was first elected to Congress in Minnesota’s 3rd District in 2018. The Democrat is serving his third term representing the western Twin Cities suburbs.
Phillips last month launched a presidential campaign, challenging President Joe Biden. Phillips presented himself as aligned with Biden on policy principles — but said he was concerned Biden could not win re-election.
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At least two other Democrats had already announced their intention to run for the 3rd District seat, before Phillips’ announcement Friday:
Other Democrats said they were considering whether to run for the now-vacant seat.
When Phillips won the 3rd District seat in 2018, he flipped it from Republican to Democratic control for the first time in decades. Ken Martin, Chairman of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota told MPR News earlier this year that he considers it a “decidedly purple district that will take a lot of time, energy and money to defend and keep in Democratic hands.”
“Most joyful work”
Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips gives away T-shirts to Hampshire voters during the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Laconia, NH on October 28.
Mark Zdechlik | MPR News File
Phillips’ statement said he sought to practice “a kind of optimistic politics that repairs relationships and improves people’s lives.” We encountered those moments” during his tenure in Congress.
“We face a crisis of cooperation, common sense and truth,” Phillips wrote. “Civility is important, respect is important, listening is important and effective governance is important. No party has a monopoly on solutions, and we need to stop fighting against each other and start fighting for each other – before it’s too late.”
He called serving in the House “the honor of his life, especially during some of the darkest days in our nation’s history.” And he said his constituents “have made this the most enjoyable job I’ve ever had.”
“I always say that representation begins with listening, and your diverse and respectful voices represent the best of America,” Phillips wrote. “I know my successor will serve you with invitation, integrity and courage – because you demand it – and all Americans deserve it.”
Response from the DFL party
Phillips’ decision to run for the White House sparked a backlash from fellow Democrats who support Biden’s bid for a second term.
In a statement Friday in response to Phillips’ announcement, Martin — the Minnesota DFL party chairman — said, “we appreciate Dean’s service and his 100% voting record supporting President Biden’s historic record of accomplishments.” There are a number of talented DFLers who would be excellent representatives of Minnesota’s Third District and who understand the importance of re-electing President Biden and keeping this seat in DFL hands.
“I am confident that we will have a strong and loyal candidate for the DFL party at the end of the process,” Martin wrote.
Harris, one of the DFL candidates vying for the 3rd District seat, released a statement Friday thanking Phillips for his leadership and service to the 3rd District, and stating that he is running “to ensure that our community has strong and effective Democratic leadership that not only reflects our values, but reflects the lived experiences of the people who work and raise their families here. »
Morrison, another DFL candidate for the seat, also released a statement thanking Phillips for the work he has done on behalf of the district. “I’m working to ensure we have the best possible representation for MN-03, and I’m running for Congress because we need leaders focused on delivering results,” she said.
