Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips announces a long-term challenge to Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination, taking advantage of Biden’s low approval ratings and voter concerns about his age.
Phillips, a House Democrat, will hold an event outside New Hampshire’s Statehouse in Concord on Friday. He has already missed the filing deadline in Nevada, and will have to follow his performance in New Hampshire in the race against Biden in South Carolina.
Democrats are wary of any challenge to Biden, which could hurt the party’s chances against likely Republican nominee Donald Trump. Ken Martin, head of the Minnesota Democratic Party, stated:
I’ve known Dean for 10 years. He’s a friend, someone I deeply respect and admire, but I have a deep disagreement with him on this.
Phillips’ entry into the race comes just days after Biden’s campaign staff formally informed the New Hampshire Democratic Party that the president would not submit his name for inclusion on the state’s primary ballot. Biden had earlier demanded that New Hampshire relinquish its primary status nationally in favour of South Carolina.
The Democratic Party is expected to penalise New Hampshire by stripping it of all delegates, leaving the winner no closer to securing the party’s nomination.
Opinion polls show Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents want someone other than the 80-year-old Biden to be the party’s nominee, citing concerns about his age.
Phillips stated that voters wanted an alternative and Biden should step aside.
I would like to see Joe Biden, a wonderful and remarkable man, pass the torch, cement this extraordinary legacy.
