Dean Phillips officially launched his presidential campaign on October 27, 2023. His candidacy was positioned as a challenge to President Joe Biden, whom he criticized for being out of touch with the evolving needs of the Democratic Party and the broader electorate. Phillips highlighted concerns about Biden’s age and diminishing approval ratings, arguing that Democrats needed a fresh and energetic alternative to ensure victory in the 2024 general election. He was endorsed by Andrew Yang (who I have really liked since his candidacy in 2020.)

Dean Phillips was dismissed, despite being a sitting member in the U.S. House of Representatives. His decision to run drew ire from fellow Democrats, with senior figures like Rep. Jim Clyburn calling his campaign disrespectful. The backlash was partly due to Phillips focusing on Biden’s age as a central issue, a sensitive topic given ongoing concerns among Democrats about Biden’s viability for re-election. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other party leaders privately urged Phillips to reconsider his bid, warning it could create divisions within the party during a crucial election cycle. This reaction highlights how his candidacy, seen as undermining party unity, led to him being effectively ostracized by party insiders and allies who previously supported him​

History will note Dean Phillips as being correct. Phillips struggled to gain visibility on major Democratic-leaning platforms. For example, he was reportedly sidelined by MSNBC, which had not offered him any airtime after his campaign launch. This is a stark contrast to other low-polling candidates like Vivek Ramaswamy, who received extensive media coverage despite being from the opposing party. Phillips himself expressed frustration, suggesting that the Biden campaign had influenced media outlets to marginalize him, making it difficult for him to present his case to Democratic voters.

Despite calls for a platform to present his ideas, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) did not schedule any primary debates, effectively sidelining Phillips and other challengers. Phillips argued that voters deserved an open discussion about leadership and direction for the party. His exclusion highlighted concerns about limited opportunities for new candidates to challenge the incumbent, especially in a race where Biden’s performance and electability were points of debate.