Who Is Dean Phillips: 5 Things To Know About Biden's Dem Challenger

MINNESOTA — Dean Phillips, a pro-business Democrat who represents several affluent Minneapolis suburbs, is gearing up to challenge President Joe Biden for the party's nomination.

The center-left, two-term congressman is about to embark on a longshot bid, as indicated by multiple "Phillips for President" campaign buses spotted around the country.

Phillips, a pro-business Democrat, is virtually unknown outside of Minnesota. Here are five things to know about the man seeking to challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination.

When was Dean Phillips elected to Congress?

In the 2018 midterm elections, Phillips successfully unseated center-right Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen in Minnesota's Third Congressional District.

The Third District, which includes several affluent suburbs west of Minneapolis, was long represented by pro-business Republicans. But the socially liberal, fiscally conservative district flipped blue under President Donald Trump.

Paulsen — who had been in Congress for 10 years before losing to Phillips — was dragged down by Tump's unpopularity in the district.

What did Dean Phillips do before he was in Congress?

Phillips grew up in the affluent Minneapolis suburb of Edina and attended Brown University before receiving his MBA from the University of Minnesota.

He is heir to the Phillips Distilling Company, his father's company, which he ran for several years before founding Talenti Gelato and Penny's Coffee.

With a net worth of $77 million, Phillips is among the wealthiest members of Congress, Fortune reported.

Phillips has two adult daughters and lives in Wayzata with his wife.

Why is Dean Phillips critical of Biden, a fellow Democrat?

In a word, age.

Phillips has not been quiet about his concerns about how old Biden is and how that could spell trouble for the party.

In July 2022, Phillips said in an interview that he respects Biden and thinks he's "a man of decency, of good principle, of compassion, of empathy, and of strength," but that "the country would be well served by a new generation. Of compelling, well-prepared, dynamic Democrats to step up."

With those comments, Phillips was the first Democrat in Congress to publicly come out against Biden running for a second term. However, his views appear to be in line with the most Democratic voters.

A September CNN poll found that 67 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents want a different candidate as the party’s nominee.

The same poll found that 60 percent of the same group of voters said they were seriously concerned about his ability to win the 2024 election if chosen as the nominee

What policy positions does Dean Phillips have?

Phillips is socially liberal and holds the Democratic line on issues such as abortion, immigration, and racial equity. But he prides himself on supporting business and entrepreneurial-friendly policies.

The Lugar Center ranks Phillips as the 13th most bipartisan member of Congress.

Phillips touts several accomplishments, including:

• Serving as Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus
• Passing bipartisan relief in the House for restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Creating Minnesota's Common Ground Workshops

Phillips is also pro-Israel. His congressional district shares a border with Rep. Ilhan Omar, who is among Israel's strongest critics in Congress. Omar has spoken out against Israel's retaliatory strikes against Hamas and its policies in the occupied territories.

Phillips came out against Omar's positions in an interview on CNN earlier this month.

Does Dean Phillips have a realistic shot at becoming the Democratic nominee for president?

No. It is extremely difficult to "primary" a sitting president. And despite Biden's negative approval numbers and the concerns about his age, the party establishment and major donors are committed to him and believe he is the best candidate to take on Donald Trump.