Town Hosts Presidential Candidate Dean Phillips
By LAUREN LEE
On Jan. 12, the Democratic Club hosted 2024 presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips at Water Street Bookstore. Phillips introduced his background and spoke on the core aims of his campaign. After flipping a seat that had been occupied by Republicans for sixty years, he has served as a representative of Minnesota’s 3rd congressional district in the House of Representatives since 2019. Prior to being elected, Phillips worked as a businessman and entrepreneur. He currently serves as a vice-ranking member of the House Committee on Small Business, and a ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Middle East, South Northern Africa, and Central Asia subcommittee.
Dean Phillips poses for a photo with Academy students
During his speech, he conveyed deep concerns about the upcoming Democratic primary. “The Democratic National Committee has disenfranchised every single one of you who might vote on the Democratic ticket,” he said. “It’s appalling . . . that the state of New Hampshire just two days ago had to send a cease and desist letter to the Democratic National Committee for unlawful suppression of voters.”
He urged listeners to consider which candidates on the Democratic ticket would be best suited to the task of defeating former President Donald Trump and made clear his view that President Joe Biden would not be capable. “I think Joe Biden is a wonderful man...but he will not beat Donald Trump in this next election,” Phillips said.
Phillips allocated time to answer questions on topics ranging from abortion rights to entitlement programs. In response to a question regarding how his administration would combat the climate crisis, he said, “We didn’t leave the Stone Age because we ran out of rocks. We left the Stone Age because we came up with better ways to do things and we know what those things are.”
Finally, Phillips reminded the audience that “we do not always have to vote out of fear,” and expressed his hope of “actually bring[ing] a little bit of joy back to this country and in our lives.”
