Rep. Dean Phillips, running for president, won't seek re-election to Congress [View all]

[brooklynite]

Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune

Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips will not run for re-election to the U.S. House as he goes all in on his insurgent primary campaign against President Joe Biden.

Phillips told the Star Tribune in an interview that he intends to "pass the torch" to another Democrat, just as he has asked Biden to do for him or another presidential candidate. Running for president does not prevent Phillips from seeking re-election to his House seat, since Minnesota's filing deadline for Congress isn't until early June.

"The fact is, I intend to be running for president well beyond that," Phillips said, adding that he thinks "it would be irresponsible to continue to string both my constituents along and the other candidates who both have entered the race and who might be interested in entering the race."

The third-term congressman's decision leaves Minnesota's Third Congressional District seat up for grabs. DFL state Sen. Kelly Morrison, who's also a practicing OB-GYN, and Democratic National Committee member Ron Harris have both announced campaigns for Phillips' congressional seat. And DFL Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon recently said he would consider a run if Phillips left his seat.

Read more: https://www.startribune.com/rep-dean-phillips-running-for-president-wont-seek-reelection-congress-us-house/600322141/