Rep. Dean Phillips Vows to Continue Presidential Campaign After New Hampshire Primary Loss
The New Hampshire primary on Tuesday marked an important moment for Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, as he vowed to continue his presidential campaign despite the loss. In a high-energy speech following the primary, Phillips told his supporters that their votes were the most meaningful they had ever cast and promised to stand in the way of former President Donald Trump’s potential re-election.
While CBS News projected President Biden as the winner of the New Hampshire primary, Phillips remained undeterred. “The polls are saying he [Mr. Biden] cannot win, his approval numbers are saying he can’t win,” Phillips said confidently. “We’re going to go to South Carolina, to Michigan, and 47 other states.”
Phillips had set his sights on the primary in New Hampshire, launching his campaign there back in October. Presenting himself as a younger alternative to the 81-year-old incumbent Mr. Biden, Phillips aimed to appeal to what he called “the exhausted majority.” He highlighted key issues such as the nation’s debt, military spending, and high taxes as central to his campaign.
Interestingly, Mr. Biden did not appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot. The state, which has traditionally held the first primary, clashed with the Democratic National Committee’s new schedule that put South Carolina first. New Hampshire’s state government refused to change state law to adhere to the new schedule, resulting in Mr. Biden’s campaign not filing for the primary. However, his campaign encouraged write-in votes, which were still counted.
Despite his loss in the New Hampshire primary, Phillips viewed his performance positively. Speaking to WCCO Radio earlier, he stated that achieving “into the 20s” in New Hampshire would be “a huge victory.” This optimism fuels his determination to press forward with his campaign and gain support in upcoming primaries.
Phillips announced in November that he would not seek re-election to Congress, having unseated Republican Erik Paulsen in the 3rd District in 2018 and winning re-election in 2022. Since his presidential campaign launch, several candidates have emerged in the 3rd District race. Democrats Sen. Kelly Morrison and Ron Harris, a Democratic National Executive Committee member, have both announced their bids. On the Republican side, Quentin Wittrock and Blaize Harty have joined the race.
Before entering politics, Phillips had a successful career in business. He was the heir to his stepfather’s Phillips Distilling Company empire and served as the company’s president. Additionally, he ran the gelato maker Talenti. Phillips currently resides in Wayzata with his wife, Annalise, and has two adult daughters from a previous marriage.
As Rep. Dean Phillips continues his presidential campaign, all eyes will be on his performance in future primaries. With a determined spirit and a clear vision for change, Phillips hopes to rally support across the nation and position himself as the candidate who can bring about meaningful transformation.
