Updated: 1:43 p.m.
Minnesota U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips announced Friday that he will not seek reelection next year, as he continues his presidential bid.
“After three terms it is time to pass the torch,” Phillips said in a statement issued by his House office.
Phillips was first elected to Congress from Minnesota’s 3rd District in 2018. The Democrat is in his third term representing the western Twin Cities suburbs.
Phillips last month launched a presidential bid, challenging President Joe Biden. Phillips has cast himself as aligned with Biden on policy principles — but has said he fears Biden can’t win reelection.
At least two other Democrats had already announced their intent to run for the 3rd District seat, ahead of Phillips’ announcement Friday:
Ron Harris, a former Minneapolis city official active in the Democratic National Committee
State Sen. Kelly Morrison, a physician from Deephaven, Minn.
Other Democrats have said they are mulling whether to run for the now-open seat.
When Phillips won the 3rd District seat in 2018, he flipped it from Republican to Democratic control for the first time in decades. Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin told MPR News earlier this year that he considers it a “decidedly purple district that will take a lot of time, energy and money to defend and to keep in Democratic hands.”
‘Most joyful job’
Phillips’ statement said he has aimed to practice “a brand of optimistic politics that repairs relationships and improves people’s lives. We have met those moments” in his time in Congress.
“We are facing a crisis of cooperation, common sense and truth,” Phillips wrote. “Civility matters, respect matters, listening matters, and effective governance matters. No party has a monopoly on solutions, and we must stop fighting one another and begin fighting for one another — before it is too late.”
He called serving in the House “the honor of a lifetime — particularly during some of the darkest days in our nation’s history.” And he said his constituents “have made this the most joyful job I’ve ever had.”
“I always say that representation begins with listening, and your diverse and respectful voices represent the very best of America,” Phillips wrote. “I know my successor will serve you with invitation, integrity, and fortitude — because you will demand it — and all Americans deserve it.”
DFL Party response
Phillips’ decision to run for the White House has prompted a backlash from fellow Democrats who are standing behind Biden’s run for a second term.
In a statement Friday in response to Phillips’ announcement, Martin — the Minnesota DFL Party chair — said “we appreciate Dean’s service and his 100 percent voting record supporting President Biden’s historic record of accomplishments. There are a number of talented DFLers who would be great representatives for Minnesota’s Third District and who understand the importance of re-electing President Biden and keeping this seat in DFL hands.”
“I’m confident we will have a strong and loyal nominee for the DFL Party at the conclusion of the process,” Martin wrote.
Harris, one of the DFL candidates vying for the 3rd District seat, issued a statement Friday thanking Phillips for his leadership and service to the 3rd District, and saying he’s running “to ensure our community has strong and effective Democratic leadership that not only reflects our values, but reflects the lived experiences of the people who work and raise their families here.”
Morrison, another DFL candidate for the seat, also issued a statement thanking Phillips for the work he’s done on behalf of the district. “I’m focused on making sure we have the best representation possible for MN-03, and I’m running for Congess because we need leaders who are focused on delivering results,” she said.