Staff Reports
In a surprising turn of events, Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips, son of the famous Dear Abby columnist, has officially thrown his hat into the 2024 presidential race. At 54 years old, Phillips is the only Jewish American currently running for the presidency and is expected to file paperwork for the New Hampshire primary as well.
Phillips has already made a name for himself in the Democratic party by condemning terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians and speaking out against anti-Semitism. In fact, he demanded an apology from fellow Democrat Ilhan Omar in 2019 after she made derogatory comments about Americans who support Israel. On top of his political career, Phillips also has a unique family background as the grandson of the legendary Dear Abby columnist, Pauline Phillips.
But here’s where things get interesting. Phillips, a former CEO of a well-known ice cream brand, has been openly critical of President Joe Biden’s mental capabilities. He even challenged Biden’s leadership and decision to seek another term. In September, Phillips resigned from his leadership position in protest of Biden’s re-election bid, showing his dissatisfaction with the current administration.
With his official entry into the race, Phillips is aiming to appeal to a wide range of voters, emphasizing his history of bipartisanship and middle-ground legislation on important issues like gun control and immigration. He believes that both the Democratic Party and the voters will see him as a better choice than Biden, especially considering the president’s advancing age.
Biden Has a New Democratic Challenger as Rep. Dean Phillips Files to Join 2024 Presidential Race
Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips, whose mom writes the famous Dear Abby column, enters presidency race.https://t.co/YAeUDCUS3m
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) October 27, 2023
Despite Phillips’ potential as a Democratic contender, the Biden campaign has already started downplaying his candidacy. White House spokesman Andrew Bates pointed out that Phillips has largely voted in line with Biden’s legislative agenda, implying that there is no need for a challenger.
On the other hand, New Hampshire Democratic leaders, who initially criticized Biden for meddling with the state’s first-in-the-nation primary status, predict that he will still win as a write-in candidate. Meanwhile, national polls show a close race between former President Donald Trump and Biden.
In any case, Phillips is clearly serious about his campaign, as evidenced by his luxurious “Dean Phillips For President” bus sightings and the hiring of political strategist Steve Schmidt. He is also pushing for a mental competency test for presidential candidates, similar to his GOP counterpart Nikki Haley, and advocating for strict vetting of migrants while maintaining a pro-immigration stance. Additionally, Phillips is pro-choice and supports legislation that protects women’s reproductive rights.
Outside of politics, Phillips has been involved in the food industry, previously working with popular brands like Talenti Gelato and currently owning his own coffee shop chain, Penny’s Coffee. It remains to be seen how his diverse background and strong opinions will resonate with voters as the 2024 race continues to unfold.
