A top House Democrat indicated Sunday that he’s leaving his position, coming after his criticism of President Joe Biden.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) announced Sunday he’s stepping down from his House leadership position after he voiced concerns for his party’s support for President Joe Biden’s reelection and after he suggested he might run for president in 2024.
While he is pleased with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ (D-N.Y.) leadership, Mr. Phillips said Sunday that his “convictions relative to the 2024 presidential race are incongruent with the majority of my caucus, and I felt it appropriate to step aside from elected leadership.
“I celebrate Leader (Hakeem) Jeffries for his remarkable and principled leadership, and extend gratitude to my outstanding friends and colleagues for having created space and place for my perspectives,” added Mr. Philips, who had been a co-chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, in the statement Sunday. “I’ll continue to abide by my convictions, place people over politics, and support our shared mission to deliver security, opportunity, and prosperity for all Americans. Onward!”
For months, Mr. Phillips, who media outlets describe as a “moderate” Democrat, has said that he isn’t pleased with President Biden’s reelection bid and said he shouldn’t be running, citing what he believes is a need for a younger generation of political leadership. He’s one of few elected Democrats at the federal level who openly supports a competitive process for the party’s presidential nomination.
A spokesperson the Minnesota Democrat’s office told The Hill that he’ll remain in his congressional seat and will be a member of the Democratic caucus. No other details were provided.
In August, Mr. Phillips said that other Democrats should try to “jump in” to the presidential race, saying that recent polls show that most Democrats would prefer another person to President Biden.
I have decided to step down from the DPCC & Democratic Caucus leadership. While politics & official work do not mix, it’s clear my convictions about 2024 are incongruent with the position of my colleagues & that was causing discomfort. I was not pressured or forced to resign. 1/2
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) October 1, 2023
