Staff Reports
President Biden is taking a trip to Minnesota to visit a family-run farm and participate in a fundraiser with top Democrats in the state. This visit is a strategic move by the president to demonstrate his political influence in the home state of his potential primary challenger, Rep. Dean Phillips. Biden plans to unveil a spending package of over $5 billion that will be allocated towards various initiatives, including adapting agriculture to climate change, expanding internet access, and improving local infrastructure. These funds were made available through infrastructure and inflation reduction laws that were passed earlier in Biden’s term.
Biden’s Minnesota trip serves as a show of political force against primary challenger Dean Phillips pic.twitter.com/YBrl8Ly8FP
— Denise (@Denise198506) November 1, 2023
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the importance of equity in this announcement, stating that it is an opportunity to celebrate the significance of rural America. Biden’s reelection campaign clarified that this trip was planned prior to Phillips’ announcement, as the congressman is the only elected official from the president’s party who has expressed a desire to challenge him for the White House. Phillips, a moderate congressman from the Minneapolis suburbs, has been advocating for a new generation of leadership and raises concerns about Biden’s age and electability against former President Donald Trump.
By visiting Minnesota soon after Phillips’ announcement, Biden aims to suppress any potential support for his primary challenger. The fundraiser will include past donors to Phillips’ previous campaigns and Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz. Ken Martin, chair of Minnesota Democrats, believes that Phillips’ campaign will be met with resistance from party leaders, as there does not appear to be a significant opening for an alternative to Biden.
Walz has been a vocal defender of Biden and has even released a fundraising email in support of the president prior to Phillips’ official entry into the race. On a national level, polls have shown that a substantial percentage of Democrats and U.S. adults question Biden’s age and effectiveness for another four years. However, prominent Black Democrats have criticized Phillips for focusing his early campaign efforts on New Hampshire, a predominantly white state, which goes against the new Democratic primary calendar championed by Biden that prioritizes South Carolina. This decision is seen as a way to empower Black and minority voters, and Biden performed better in South Carolina during the 2020 primary than in New Hampshire.
Phillips, in response to Biden’s upcoming visit, expressed gratitude that the president chose to come to Minnesota to discuss pressing issues affecting Americans. However, Phillips will not be able to welcome Biden personally as he will be hosting his first town hall in New Hampshire, coinciding with the state’s 103rd anniversary of hosting the nation’s first presidential primary. Biden’s campaign is already mobilizing support, and the White House press secretary simply stated that the president loves Minnesota.
Minnesota has traditionally been a reliable Democratic state, with its last Republican vote for president dating back to 1972. Trump made a close run in 2016 but ultimately lost to Hillary Clinton. Although Minnesota is part of the so-called blue wall, Biden will need to solidify his support in the state for the 2024 election. Political strategists warn that if the blue wall were to weaken, Biden’s chances of winning diminish significantly. Therefore, maintaining strong support in Minnesota is crucial. Pennsylvania Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who has worked closely with Phillips, believes that his platform would align closely with Biden’s agenda and legislative accomplishments, making his candidacy a distraction when Democrats should be united behind the president.
