Democrats Warn Rep. Dean Phillips Against Biden Primary Challenge

WASHINGTON — Democrats are urging Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) not to launch a primary bid against President Joe Biden, warning that it would only play into the hands of earlier in the day suggesting he would vote “present” if Republicans voted to elect Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) to be speaker. Phillips floated the idea that he would do this to help Emmer get elected, in exchange for promises of holding votes on certain policies.

Aguilar said nobody in Democratic leadership was discussing Phillips’ idea. Emmer later dropped out of the race anyway.

Asked specifically about Phillips launching a primary bid against Biden, Aguilar said with a smirk: “I’m sure that has nothing to do with the tweet he put out earlier today.”

“I think all of us have talked about the importance of reelecting, you know, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. That’s what we’re focused on,” he said. “But, you know, people having ambitions and running for other things in this place is just kind of par for the course.”

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) called Phillips “a smart and talented member of House” but said he “dearly” hoped he “stays with us here in the House.”

Aside from Aguilar, other House Democratic leaders didn’t seem to want to talk about Phillips. Requests for comment from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) were not returned.

But one aide to a veteran House Democrat conveyed the annoyance felt among some Democrats who weren’t comfortable speaking as bluntly.

“A quixotic run from a third-term congressman who votes with the president 100% of the time, has little name recognition and touts a knock-off Trump slogan doesn’t really strike fear in anyone’s heart,” said this aide, who requested anonymity to speak freely. “Joe Biden is our nominee, period.”

Phillips’ decision to challenge Biden in the presidential primary has drawn him a primary challenger of his own in his congressional race. Democrat Ron Harris announced earlier this month that he is now running for Phillips’ House seat.

A primary challenge to Biden would likely be an extreme long shot, but it would serve as an embarrassing reminder of discontent within the Democratic Party regarding the president’s age. More than half Democratic voters are concerned about Biden’s age and his ability to win the 2024 election, according to a CNN poll conducted last month.

Still, it’s not just Democrats who have questions about the age of their leadership. Trump, at 77 years old, is steamrolling the 2024 GOP presidential race, and making verbal gaffes to match Biden’s slip-ups. He would be 78 if he takes office again in 2025.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to weigh in on Phillips’ presidential bid during Tuesday’s press briefing, saying she doesn’t get into electoral politics. But she did note one detail about the Minnesota Democrat’s record.

“We appreciate the congressman’s almost 100% support of this president as he’s moved forward with some really important key legislative priorities for the American people,” said Jean-Pierre.

Arthur Delaney contributed reporting.