Dean Phillips presidential campaign, 2024

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
2024 Presidential Election
Date: November 5, 2024
White House Logo.png

Presidential candidatesElectoral College in the 2024 presidential electionPredictIt marketsPresidential debatesTimeline of announcementsImportant datesPresidential election by stateCampaign financeEndorsementsLogos and slogansKey staffersVice presidential candidatesPolicy positions
Democratic nomination
Democratic National Convention, 2024Delegate rules

Republican nomination
Republican National Convention, 2024Delegate rulesCampaign travelDebates

Minor party nominations
Green PartyLibertarian Party

Use the dropdown menu below to read more about noteworthy candidates

Ballotpedia's presidential election coverage
202420202016

I didn’t set out to enter this race. But it looks like on our current course, the Democrats will lose and Trump will be our President again. President Biden is a good man and someone I tremendously respect. I understand why other Democrats don’t want to run against him, and why we are here. This is a last-minute campaign, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and courage is an important value to me. If President Biden is the Democratic nominee, we face an unacceptable risk of Trump being back in the White House. I know this campaign is a long shot, but that is why I think it is important and worth doing.[1]
—Dean Phillips (October 2023)[2]


Dean Phillips (D) is a U.S. representative from Minnesota. He announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election on October 26, 2023.[3]

Phillips said his campaign was focused on four main issues: bringing down the cost of living by being pro-worker and pro-business, improving community safety by addressing mental health and drug issues, investing in young people, and making politics less divisive by pursuing policies like term limits, campaign finance reform, and bipartisan presidential Cabinets. Phillips also said, "It looks like on our current course, the Democrats will lose and Trump will be our President again. [...] If President Biden is the Democratic nominee, we face an unacceptable risk of Trump being back in the White House."[4]

Phillips has served in the U.S. House representing Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District since 2019. Click here to read more about Phillips' biography.



Phillips in the news

See also: Editorial approach to story selection for presidential election news events

This section features up to five recent news stories about Phillips and his presidential campaign. For a complete timeline of Phillips' campaign activity, click here.

Biography

Phillips was born in 1969 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He received a bachelor's degree from Brown University in 1991, and a master's degree in business from the University of Minnesota in 2000.[10]

From 1993 to 2012, Phillips worked as the president and chief executive officer of Phillips Distilling Company, a distillery and liquor brand owned by his family. He then worked as the executive chairman of Talenti Gelato from 2012 to 2016. In 2016, Phillips co-founded Penny's Coffee, a coffee shop chain in Minnesota.[11]

Phillips was first elected to public office in 2018, when he defeated then-incumbent Erik Paulsen (R) to represent Minnesota' 3rd Congressional District. He won re-election in 2020 and 2022.

Campaign finance

See also: Presidential election campaign finance, 2024

Note: Phillips filed to run after the most recent campaign finance filing deadline, so he is not included in the chart below. The following chart displays noteworthy Democratic primary candidates' overall fundraising through the October 2023 quarterly campaign finance reports. Note that the chart displays fundraising figures for candidates who had declared before the most recent reporting deadline. It only displays data for principal campaign committees, not candidate-affiliated PACs. The charts below include campaign finance reports beginning at the point the FEC starts classifying the committee as a presidential candidate's principal campaign finance committee.

Receipts is a broad term referring to all money that goes into a campaign account, including contributions by individuals, dividends or interest on loans or investments made by the campaign, transfers of money from other political committees, and offsets to a campaign's expenditures in the form of rebates or refunds. Contributions reflect individual donations to a campaign. Disbursements is a term for campaign spending.

Campaign advertisements

This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements supporting this candidate and up to three campaign advertisements opposing this candidate, as well as links to other ads. If you know of additional links that should be included, please email us.

Support

December 19, 2023
November 3, 2023
October 27, 2023

Policy positions

The following policy positions were compiled from the candidate's official campaign website, editorials, speeches, and interviews.

Immigration

Phillips' campaign website said, "My family came to this country for the same reasons as many others: for opportunity and a place of refuge from persecution. The America I know and love is a compassionate America that values and welcomes hard-working people who come here with big dreams and a simple wish for safety and opportunity. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is a human issue—and an economic issue—and we must do better." [source]

Healthcare

Phillips' campaign website said, "Dean supports universal health insurance coverage and continues to be active in efforts to expand access and lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs." [source]

Energy and environmental issues

Phillips' campaign website said, "The strength of our economy—not to mention our future health and well-being—relies on responsible stewardship of our waterways, forests, farmland, wetlands, and public lands. Preserving and improving them for generations to come should be a unifying effort, and I am committed to listening, learning, identifying solutions, and acting together." [source]

Economy

Phillips' campaign website said, "As a business owner for my entire professional life before Congress, I know that small businesses are the engine that drive our economy, and as a member of the Small Business Committee in Congress, I have made supporting them a top priority. I believe that smart public policy is both pro-business and pro-worker. Those ideas are not mutually exclusive. That’s why I’m an advocate for policies that grow the economy by reducing red tape, investing in people, rewarding innovation, and sharing in success." [source]

Education

Phillips' campaign website said, "We must work together at all levels of government to ensure that every American child receives a world-class public education—no matter their race or zip code. I’ve spent the majority of my adult life working to create more opportunity for young people, and I will continue to make that a top priority as a member of Congress." [source]

Gun regulation

Phillips' campaign website said, "Thoughts and tweets don’t save lives—courage and action save lives. For too long, Congress did nothing in the face of an epidemic of gun violence in our country. I’m proud to be part of a new generation in Congress that made gun violence prevention a priority, which led to the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the first meaningful gun violence legislation in nearly three decades. More must be done to keep our kids and communities safe, however, and I remain as committed as ever to that work." [source]

Criminal justice

Abortion

Phillips' campaign website said, "The Supreme Court’s decision to unravel decades of settled law and allow states to outlaw abortion with no exceptions is both dangerous and shortsighted, and Congress must take action to codify Roe and protect a woman’s right to make decisions about her health." [source]

Government ethics

Phillips' campaign website said, "No matter your number one issue, I ask you to make campaign finance reform your number two. The corrupting influence of special interest money in politics, and the time spent in its pursuit, are at the heart of the dysfunction in Washington, DC, preventing progress on the major challenges we face as a country. That is why I am on a mission to get money out of politics and return power to where it belongs: the people." [source]

Opioids and drug issues

Phillips' campaign website said, "He remains a vocal proponent of legislation like HR2366, the STOP Fentanyl Act of 2021, that will expand access to mental health services for substance abuse prevention and treatment programs." [source]

Veterans

Phillips' campaign website said, "I lost my birth father, Artie, in the Vietnam War, so I know all too well the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. As a Gold Star Son and member of Congress, I’m on a mission to ensure we take care of those who risk their lives in service to our country—and that we don’t forget about the families they leave behind." [source]

Other policy positions

Click on any of the following links to read more policy positions from the 2024 presidential candidates.

Abortion

Administrative state

Coronavirus response

Criminal justice

Economy

Education

Election policy

Energy and environmental issues

Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)

Federalism

Foreign policy

Government ethics

Gun regulation

Healthcare

Sex and gender issues

Immigration

Impeachment

Infrastructure

Opioids and drug issues

Trade

Veterans


Campaign themes

Website

Policies from Phillips' campaign website as of December 22, 2023, are excerpted below.

Medicare for All On Wednesday, December 20th, 2023, Congressman Dean Phillips officially signed on to HR 3421: The Medicare for All Act of 2023, originally proposed to Congress by US Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and US Senator Bernie Sanders (VT).

By co-sponsoring the bill, Congressman Phillips is committing as President to pursue the creation of a Medicare for All system with the benefits outlined in the bill with no copayments, no deductibles, and no other cost sharing. Phillips’s path to transitioning to a Medicare for All system by the end of his first term is detailed below.

This commitment is a result of a personal journey and evolution for Dean Phillips, as someone who has always been supportive of universal healthcare, who lived through major health challenges and scares within his own family, and who listened to tens of thousands of everyday Americans on both sides of the aisle as a Congressman and presidential candidate. Dean Phillips is an original co-sponsor of Congressman Ro Khanna’s H.R. 6270, a bill to permit states to implement a single-payer health insurance system. Phillips also co-sponsored the same legislation in the last Congress, signing on June 23, 2022.

Dean believes that we need affordable healthcare for all Americans, and Medicare For All is the best way to deliver that vision.

Jobs and the Economy
"As a business owner for my entire professional life before Congress, I know that small businesses are the engine that drive our economy, and as a member of the Small Business Committee in Congress, I have made supporting them a top priority. I believe that smart public policy is both pro-business and pro-worker. Those ideas are not mutually exclusive. That’s why I’m an advocate for policies that grow the economy by reducing red tape, investing in people, rewarding innovation, and sharing in success.”

Dean has a diverse history in business development and oversight, from start-ups to working his way up within his family owned business, Phillips Distilling, ultimately leading the organization.

Dean later helped build Talenti Gelato into the third-largest premium ice cream brand in the country before selling it and launching a small chain of coffee shops in the Twin Cities.

In Congress, Dean serves on the House Small Business Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations. Dean is also a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, co-founder of the Stakeholder Capitalism Caucus, and a member of the Entrepreneurship Caucus.

Dean wrote and passed into law the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act in the 116th Congress, and his efforts led to passage of the Relief for Restaurants and Other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022.

Public Safety
"Everyone deserves to feel safe in our community, no matter their race, income, or zip code.

"I salute those public servants who put on a uniform and risk their lives to protect and serve us, and I believe we can enhance public safety by providing funding for police departments and other first responders for the recruitment and retention of the best and the brightest from our communities, for up-to-date training practices and access to necessary equipment, and for mental health services for community members and first responders alike.”

Dean has been a vocal proponent of efforts to provide police departments with the funding necessary to recruit and retain the best and the brightest, ensure access to appropriate training and equipment, and rethink our approach to mental health and substance abuse-related emergencies.

Dean authored and sponsored the Pathways to Policing Act to provide funding to bolster officer recruitment efforts, including from non-traditional backgrounds and underrepresented communities, and as a leader of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, which has been actively pushing for votes on this bill along with the Invest to Protect Act, the Mental Health Justice Act, and more.

Public Education
"We must work together at all levels of government to ensure that every American child receives a world-class public education—no matter their race or zip code. I’ve spent the majority of my adult life working to create more opportunity for young people, and I will continue to make that a top priority as a member of Congress.”

Dean’s top priority in Congress is ensuring our schools have the federal resources they need to support their students, teachers, and other support professionals.

That’s why Dean is a cosponsor of the IDEA Full Funding Act, which would fully fund the federal government’s portion of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act over a 10-year period.

He also believes the federal government should support and build upon intensive mentoring programs during new teachers’ first years, which will help them succeed and create more opportunity for young people, and of equal importance, ensure access to mental and emotional health services in every school.

Gun Violence Prevention
"Thoughts and tweets don’t save lives—courage and action save lives. For too long, Congress did nothing in the face of an epidemic of gun violence in our country. I’m proud to be part of a new generation in Congress that made gun violence prevention a priority, which led to the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the first meaningful gun violence legislation in nearly three decades. More must be done to keep our kids and communities safe, however, and I remain as committed as ever to that work.”

Dean is a responsible gun owner and a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, where he has sought and supported bipartisan solutions to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic. In addition, Dean supported and helped pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first meaningful gun violence prevention legislation to become law in nearly 30 years.

Dean also co-sponsored and voted for HR 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, and HR 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022, to help prevent weapons of war from falling into the wrong hands.

Campaign Finance Reform and Ethics
"No matter your number one issue, I ask you to make campaign finance reform your number two. The corrupting influence of special interest money in politics, and the time spent in its pursuit, are at the heart of the dysfunction in Washington, DC, preventing progress on the major challenges we face as a country. That is why I am on a mission to get money out of politics and return power to where it belongs: the people.”

Dean is the ONLY member of Congress—out of 538—who refuses ALL money from federal lobbyists, PACs, other special interest groups, and fellow members of Congress. This means Dean is beholden only to his own principles and the people he represents in Congress.

"I will advocate raising the ethical bar in Congress and the Supreme Court. The current system is an unmitigated disaster. It is legalized corruption, and I will tackle it.”

Clean Water and a Healthy Planet
"The strength of our economy—not to mention our future health and well-being—relies on responsible stewardship of our waterways, forests, farmland, wetlands, and public lands. Preserving and improving them for generations to come should be a unifying effort, and I am committed to listening, learning, identifying solutions, and acting together.”

As a fifth-generation Minnesotan, Dean understands the importance of preserving and protecting our abundant natural resources for generations to come.

In Congress, Dean has focused specifically on protecting access to clean water. As a member of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, Dean is committed to working together to establish a sound, bipartisan approach to preventing harmful chemicals from poisoning our clean water.

Dean is also a leading champion for protecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, one of the most treasured and pristine wilderness areas in the country.

For these reasons, numerous conservation and environmental organizations endorsed Dean throughout his Congressional campaigns.

Climate Action
"The effects of climate change are now being seen and felt by nearly every American and by people across the world. Our planet will survive, but if we don’t take urgent action, humanity may not – and America must resume its role as a global leader in addressing this crisis.”

"Fortunately, the climate investments signed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act are both historic and meaningful. The incentives included in it will help lower energy costs and speed our transition to a clean energy economy while cutting emissions by 40% by 2030. This alone will not put a stop to the climate crisis – but it’s a darn good start.”

In Congress, Dean has been a vocal advocate for legislation to cut greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the effects of climate change, and create more resilient communities.

In addition to supporting and voting for the climate investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act, Dean is an original co-sponsor of HR 2307, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which would put a price on carbon and return the proceeds to every taxpayer, along with HR 8395, the EPA Regulatory Authority Act of 2022, which would restore the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
"We are a rapidly-diversifying country, and it is that diversity, which makes America great.

"Still, we must confront the realities of our nation’s complicated past and work to reform the systems, structures, and policies that have—intentionally or otherwise—led to wide disparities in healthcare, education, housing, and economic achievement if we are to live up to the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and afforded by our Constitution.”

As an ally and member of the Congressional Equality Caucus in Congress and someone who has long been involved in efforts to address racial disparities in Minnesota, Dean is committed to listening to, learning from, and acting on behalf Americans who have been held back simply because of their race, gender, or sexual identity.

Dean understands that in a country where all are created equal, disparities can only exist because our policies, systems, or structures have—intentionally or otherwise—propagated them.

He is committed to confronting hard truths and ensuring that all Americans enjoy equal opportunities to live comfortably and prosper.

Higher Education and Job Training
"Every American should have access to an affordable two or four-year college degree, apprenticeship, or job-training certificate that prepares them for jobs of the future.

"This isn’t just good for individual learners and their families; it’s good for businesses, it’s good for our communities, and it will help grow America’s economy.”

Every American with a desire for higher education, apprenticeships or certifications should be able to access those opportunities to better prepare for sustainable employment and the jobs of the future. And while he supports targeted relief for federal student debt holders with the greatest need—including those pursuing in-demand professions, such as teaching, nursing, and law enforcement—Dean believes we must treat the underlying problem of college affordability rather than engage in short-term actions to treat the symptoms.

As Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Dean has supported bipartisan solutions to these challenges, including the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act in Congress.

Immigration Reform
"My family came to this country for the same reasons as many others: for opportunity and a place of refuge from persecution. The America I know and love is a compassionate America that values and welcomes hard-working people who come here with big dreams and a simple wish for safety and opportunity. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is a human issue—and an economic issue—and we must do better.”

Dean supports comprehensive immigration reform, including enhanced border security, a pathway to citizenship for those here now, and a streamlined process for those seeking to enter the country legally.

In Congress, Dean has helped pass legislation through the House, such as HR 6, the American Dream and Promise Act, which provides for a path to citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. In addition, he led the effort to provide permanent status for Liberian refugees, many of whom have lived here legally for decades but under the constant threat of eventual deportation.

Retirement Security "Every hard-working American deserves the opportunity to retire with dignity. Those in or near retirement have worked hard and paid into the system all their lives, and we must honor that promise by working in a bipartisan fashion to ensure the elements of a secure retirement are protected – including Social Security, Medicare, and federal support for caregivers."

Dean understands that we must work in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that the elements of a secure retirement are protected, including Social Security and Medicare.

That is why he has supported Congressional action to create commissions that would provide recommendations for balanced action to make these federal programs solvent into the future, while also acknowledging the need to enhance benefits for retirees.

Veterans Services and Support
"I lost my birth father, Artie, in the Vietnam War, so I know all too well the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. As a Gold Star Son and member of Congress, I’m on a mission to ensure we take care of those who risk their lives in service to our country—and that we don’t forget about the families they leave behind.”

Women's Health and Economic Security
"The Supreme Court’s decision to unravel decades of settled law and allow states to outlaw abortion with no exceptions is both dangerous and shortsighted, and Congress must take action to codify Roe and protect a woman’s right to make decisions about her health.

"Women clearly deserve—but still do not have—equal rights in this country.

"I remember my mother wearing a green ‘ERA Now’ pin almost 50 years ago, and it is outrageous that we still have not ratified it. I will continue to be a fierce advocate for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and the advancement of women’s health, economic security, and reproductive freedom in Congress.”

Dean is a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus in Congress and he believes patients—not politicians—should have the freedom to make personal decisions about their own health, including reproductive health.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v Wade, Dean co-sponsored and voted for HR 8297, the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, and HR 8111, the My Body, My Data Act—each of which would protect women seeking reproductive health care out-of-state—as well as HR 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify the reproductive freedoms previously guaranteed by Roe.[12] [1]

Campaign logo and slogan

See also: Presidential campaign logos and slogans, 2024

The table below displays this candidate's campaign logo and slogan. Click here to view more campaign logos and slogans in the 2024 presidential race.

2024 Democratic presidential candidate logos
Candidate Logo Slogan
Dean Phillips
Phillipslogo24.png
  • It's Time for Change

Campaign staff

See also: Dean Phillips presidential campaign staff, 2024, Presidential election key staffers, 2024, and Presidential election campaign managers, 2024

The table below shows a partial list of national campaign staff members, including the campaign manager, senior advisors, political directors, communications directors, field directors, and the national press secretary. They are presented alongside their positions in the campaign, their most recent positions prior to the campaign, and their Twitter handles. To recommend additions, please email us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

See also: Presidential election campaign managers and key staffers, 2024
Dean Phillips presidential campaign national staff, 2024
Staff Position Prior experience Twitter handle
Steve Schmidt[13] Senior advisor Founder, Lincoln Project @SteveSchmidtSES


Social media and campaign website

Campaign website

Social media accounts

Timeline of campaign activity

See also: Editorial approach to story selection for presidential election news events

The following section provides a timeline of Phillips' campaign activity beginning in October 2023. The entries are sorted by month in reverse chronological order.


2023



  • November 24, 2023: Phillips announced he would not seek re-election to the U.S. House.[20]
  • November 18, 2023: Phillips spoke at the Charleston County Democratic Party's Blue Jamboree rally in Charleston, South Carolina.[21]
  • November 13, 2023: Phillips participated in a town hall at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.[22]
  • November 8, 2023: The Washington Post reported Phillips hired Jeff Weaver and Zach Graumann to serve in senior roles on his campaign. The Post also reported that Steve Schmidt planned to leave Phillips' campaign to run a super PAC supporting Phillips' candidacy.[23]
  • November 1, 2023: Phillips held a campaign event in Manchester, New Hampshire.[24]


See also

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  2. Twitter, "Dean Phillips on October 26, 2023," accessed October 27, 2023
  3. The New York Times, "Dean Phillips Will Run Against Biden," October 26, 2023
  4. TWitter, "Phillips on October 26, 2023," accessed October 27, 2023
  5. WMUR, "Dean Phillips volunteers at food pantry in Manchester, vows more government help for housing," December 21, 2023
  6. Twitter, "Phillips on December 9, 2023," accessed December 11, 2023
  7. Laconia Daily Sun, "In Laconia, Dean Phillips offers Democrats 'thoughtful alternative,'" December 7, 2023
  8. Brattleboro Reformer, "Dean Phillips challenges Biden in Keene," December 7, 2023
  9. Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, "Dean Phillips brings presidential campaign to Franklin Pierce," December 5, 2023
  10. Biographical Directory if the United States Congress, "PHILLIPS, Dean," accessed October 27, 2023
  11. LinkedIn, "Dean Phillips," accessed October 27, 2023
  12. Dean Phillips' campaign website, "Platform," accessed December 22, 2023
  13. Politico, "Dean Phillips launches bid for president. ‘It could be the end of his political career.,'" October 27, 2023
  14. WMUR, "Dean Phillips volunteers at food pantry in Manchester, vows more government help for housing," December 21, 2023
  15. Twitter, "Phillips on December 9, 2023," accessed December 11, 2023
  16. Laconia Daily Sun, "In Laconia, Dean Phillips offers Democrats 'thoughtful alternative,'" December 7, 2023
  17. Brattleboro Reformer, "Dean Phillips challenges Biden in Keene," December 7, 2023
  18. Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, "Dean Phillips brings presidential campaign to Franklin Pierce," December 5, 2023
  19. Twitter, "Phillips on December 2, 2023," accessed December 4, 2023
  20. CBS News, "Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips announces he won't seek reelection to 3rd Congressional District amid presidential run," November 24, 2023
  21. ABC News, "Clyburn and presidential hopeful Dean Phillips headline annual Blue Jamboree rally in Charleston," November 16, 2023
  22. Twitter, "Phillips on November 13, 2023," accessed November 14, 2023
  23. The Washington Post, "Dean Phillips hires top Bernie Sanders and Andrew Yang advisers," November 8, 2023
  24. Twitter, "Phillips on October 31, 2023," accessed November 1, 2023
  25. Reuters, "Dean Phillips, Democrat from Minnesota, challenges Biden in 2024 race," October 27, 2023
  26. The New York Times, "Dean Phillips Will Run Against Biden," October 26, 2023