MINNEAPOLIS — Congressman Dean Phillps, a moderate Democrat representing Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District, confirmed to KARE 11 on Friday that he's engaged in talks about a bid for the White House in 2024.
The news, first reported by Politico, was confirmed by KARE 11's Jana Shortal Friday morning.
In a brief correspondence, Phillips told Shortal he could "confirm the article was factual," and has "resulted in a remarkable flood of encouragement." He declined to comment on the news further.
In July 2022, Phillips stated publicly in a WCCO Radio interview that he did not think President Joe Biden should run for a second term in 2024.
"I think he’s a man of decency, of good principle, of compassion, of empathy and of strength," Philips said, "but I think the country would be well-served by a new generation of compelling, well-prepared, dynamic Democrats."
In a later statement, Phillips echoed his thoughts about a new generation of leadership.
"As we navigate domestic division and build a bright, prosperous, and secure future for America, I believe it’s time for a new generation of dynamic Democratic leadership in Congress and in the White House," he said.
Jonathan Martin, the senior Politico columnist who broke the story about Phillips on Friday, wrote that the Minnesota representative is "highly unlikely to mount a primary challenge unless Biden’s health worsens or his political standing drops precipitously."
Martin echoed his reporting in a Zoom interview with KARE 11.
"I don't think Phillips would denigrate Biden's performance. I think this is more of an insurance policy," Martin said. "He wants a competitive primary for the Democratic nomination in 2024. If it's not him, perhaps someone else. And [he] views this as a way to kind of crack the political ice."
Eighty-year-old Biden announced he would run for reelection in April, asking voters to give him more time to “finish this job.” Should Biden win his second bid for president, he would be 86 years old at the end of that term.
Two other Democrats have already put their name in the hat to challenge Biden — Marianne Williamson, an author and former spiritual advisor who ran a failed campaign for president in 2020, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy who's faced scrutiny in his party over his prominent anti-vaccine activism.
Republicans who have entered the race include former President Donald Trump; Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador under Trump; Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and author; former governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson; Larry Elder, a conservative talk radio host; Tim Scott, the first Black Republican senator from the South; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; former Vice President Mike Pence; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum; Miami Mayor Francis Suarez; and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd.
Cornel West, a progressive activist and professor of philosophy at Union Theological Seminary in New York, is currently running as a third-party candidate in the race, reportedly seeking the nomination from the nation's Green Party.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Phillips is considering a third-party run.
WATCH MORE ON KARE 11+
Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11's newscasts. You'll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota.
- Add KARE 11+ on Roku here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Roku Channel Store.
- Add KARE 11+ on Fire TV here or by searching for KARE 11 in the Amazon App Store.
- Learn more about the KARE 11+ app for Apple TV in the Apple App Store.
- Learn more about KARE 11+ here.
Watch more Minnesota politics:
Watch the latest political coverage from the Land of 10,000 Lakes in our YouTube playlist: