Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minnesota) is reportedly considering a primary challenge against President Biden in 2024, a development that will likely increase scrutiny on the incumbent’s reelection bid.
An influential Democrat is reportedly now claiming that Phillips is in talks with a number of individuals about the possibility of taking challenging Biden for the presidency.
He would be the first Democratic representative to take on Biden this cycle in either house of the House or Senate.
It is noteworthy that Biden could have to compete against a Democratic rival on Capitol Hill. Phillips is a centrist, dispelling Democrats’ more prevalent worry that a progressive could challenge him from the left.
Additionally, he is not well-known, unlike fellow moderate Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), whose consideration of a presidential bid has angered the party establishment.
However, it wouldn’t be altogether unexpected if Phillips ran for office in the primary.
He has occasionally criticized Biden, even going so far as to imply that, in part because of his advanced age, he shouldn’t seek reelection.
The 80-year-old president is 26 years older than Phillips, who is 54.
An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by a Phillips campaign representative.
Political heir Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and novelist Marianne Williamson are two of Biden’s already-existing minor primary rivals.
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